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Digging deeper into learners' experiences in MOOC s: Participation in social networks outside of MOOC s, notetaking and contexts surrounding content consumption
Author(s) -
Veletsianos George,
Collier Amy,
Schneider Emily
Publication year - 2015
Publication title -
british journal of educational technology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.79
H-Index - 95
eISSN - 1467-8535
pISSN - 0007-1013
DOI - 10.1111/bjet.12297
Subject(s) - clickstream , massive open online course , psychology , consumption (sociology) , social media , mathematics education , computer science , world wide web , sociology , web 2.0 , the internet , web api , social science
Abstract Researchers describe with increasing confidence what they observe participants doing in massive open online courses ( MOOC s). However, our understanding of learner activities in open courses is limited by researchers' extensive dependence on log file analyses and clickstream data to make inferences about learner behaviors. Further, the field lacks an empirical understanding of how people experience MOOC s and why they engage in particular activities in the ways that they do. In this paper, we report three findings derived by interviewing 13 individuals about their experiences in MOOC s. We report on learner interactions in social networks outside of MOOC platforms, notetaking, and the contexts that surround content consumption. The examination and analysis of these practices contribute to a greater understanding of the MOOC phenomenon and to the limitations of clickstream‐based research methods. Based on these findings, we conclude by making pragmatic suggestions for pedagogical and technological refinements to enhance open teaching and learning.