Exploratory Study of MOOC Learners' Demographics and Motivation: The Case of Students Involved in Groups

Autor/in	Bayeck, Rebecca Yvonne
Titel	Exploratory Study of MOOC Learners' Demographics and Motivation: The Case of Students Involved in Groups
Quelle	In: Open Praxis, 8 (2016) 3, S.223-233 (11 Seiten) PDF als Volltext kostenfreie Datei Verfügbarkeit
Sprache	englisch
Dokumenttyp	gedruckt; online; Zeitschriftenaufsatz
ISSN	2304-070X
Schlagwörter	Online Courses; Large Group Instruction; Student Characteristics; Demography; Student Motivation; Cooperative Learning; Geographic Location; Academic Achievement; Employment Level; Gender Differences; Enrollment; Academic Aspiration; Professional Development; College Students; Student Placement; Student Surveys; Foreign Countries; Australia; Brazil; Canada; China; Denmark; Egypt; France; Germany; India; Iran; Israel; Mexico; Nigeria; Pennsylvania; United States + Suchen Sie Ihr Suchwort? Online course; Online-Kurs; Demografie; Schulische Motivation; Kooperatives Lernen; Schulleistung; Beschäftigungsgrad; Geschlechterkonflikt; Einschulung; Collegestudent; Schülerpraktikum; Schülerbefragung; Ausland; Australien; Brasilien; Kanada; Dänemark; Ägypten; Frankreich; Deutschland; Indien; Mexiko; USA
Abstract	This paper reports preliminary findings on students enrolled in a massive open online course, who were also assigned to work in groups. Part of a larger study on the effect of groups on retention and completion in MOOCs, the paper provides students' demographics (i.e., location, gender, education level, and employment status), and motivation for taking the course. Findings show that women outnumbered men and that students mostly enrolled into the course because of a friend. Indeed, research on MOOCs demonstrates that men outnumber women and that educational pursuit and professional development are the main motivators for taking MOOCs. Yet, this paper shows that when group work is included in a MOOC, women participate more. Furthermore, for students assigned to groups in a MOOC, friends are the principal incentive for enrolling into the course. These results are discussed in light of previous research, and implications for teaching and learning in online environments addressed. (As Provided).
Anmerkungen	International Council for Open and Distance Education. Lilleakerveien 23, 0283 Oslo, Norway. Tel: +47-22-06-26-30; Fax: +47-22-06-26-31; e-mail: icde@icde.org; Web site: http://www.openpraxis.org
Erfasst von	ERIC (Education Resources Information Center), Washington, DC
Update	2020/1/01