Engaged learning in MOOCS Julie Wintrup With research team:
Kelly Wakefield, Debra Morris, Hugh Davis Funded by HEA
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Overview (Brief) background to research Research goals Findings
Implications for quality
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Background Massive Open Online Courses - Siemens and Downes -
cMOOCs and xMOOCs David Willetts: "MOOCS will provide the
opportunity to widen access to our world class universities" 2012
FutureLearn BIS 2013: "no discernible business model Critical
voices 4
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Student engagement student behaviours that are associated with
achievement and persistence Was it going to be a useful concept?
'Satisfaction' levels with MOOCs typically very high...yet 'drop
out' high Consumer, student, learner, lurker? MOOCs as progression
route to Higher Education? UK Engagement Survey (UKES) 6
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The research goals To explore the responses of people
undertaking a MOOC using the UKES: How engaged on different
constructs? when compared to HE UKES results? Any patterns when
characteristics taken into consideration? To to seek more in depth
accounts of the MOOC experience: How do learners describe their
experiences of learning? What can designers and educators learn
from their accounts? 7
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Southampton's two MOOCs 8
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Findings 1: who were our MOOC learners? 11
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6 weeks after course started... 974 people completed the UKES
survey: 521 from Web Science and 453 from Exploring our Oceans of
the 974, 455 gave demographic data In addition: 1898 people
completed FutureLearn's precourse survey 636 completed
FutureLearn's post course survey 12
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20% outside UK: 35 countries, 6 continents 18
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UKES respondents: employment 19
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Findings 2: what did the UKES survey tell us?
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About MOOC learners engagement with UKES constructs by
composite scores (or amounts of engagement).
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Highest / lowest constructs Highest: Reflective and integrative
learning: combining ideas from different parts of the course,
connecting learning to prior learning, reflecting Higher order
learning: mental activities, analysing ideas, applying facts
Engagement with research: methods and results of research Lowest:
Collaborative learning
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Differences by characteristic? Those (few) currently in
education and/or under 25 reported high levels of engagement Those
over 65 and/or retired reported lower levels (except in
collaborative learning) Past educational achievement less important
except in course challenge (higher level of education = higher
sense of challenge)
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Comparing the two MOOCs..
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Comparing MOOC learners responses to HE learners
responses.
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So UKES survey findings indicate that: Respondents engaged in
higher order learning, reflective and integrative learning, and
research/methods Many felt intellectually stretched, challenged to
do their best work and thought critically Fewer engaged with
collaborative learning The 25% who did so ranged in age and
educational attainment The small number in education and those
under 25 reported high levels of engagement Those over 65 or
retired reported lower levels (except in collaborative learning)
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Findings 3: interview data
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Liberating learning: themes from interviews flexible,
fascinating and free : mental stimulation, high quality and no risk
/ fear of wasting money Feeling part of something: from checking in
without commenting to midnight chats across the globe; generosity
of others; could be lonely Ways of learning: on trains, while
cooking etc; high investment of time; most worked systematically
through A bit of proof? Only one interviewee interested in a
certificate / credit
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Implications for high quality learning
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Implications for quality UKES responses suggest particular
forms of engagement are sensitive to pedagogy and to curriculum
design which influences intellectual and social forms of
engagement, and application Variation in expectations, hopes,
approaches, styles means guidance and information is necessary
MOOCs may offer an alternative form of widening participation to
Higher Education given the right conditions 39
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Guidance specific to MOOC might be offered that encourages
interaction and application to areas of personal interest It might
suggest appropriate kinds of activities to support those new to or
anxious about social learning with guidance and advice It could
usefully suggest ways of applying learning Guidance specific to
MOOC that supports and encourages creative / experimental and
inclusive forms of interaction. Might include learning / sharing
ways to initiate social events online or participation in
international online events Encouragement of responsible /
professional online behaviours It might signpost when sticking with
/ independent study needed It might suggest ways of applying
learning Guidance specific to MOOC that encourages interaction and
application of learning, possibly within work and education
settings and networks, within and outwith MOOC community Might
usefully be supported by advice and guidance on professional use of
social media It might suggest both application of learning and
independent research on topics of personal interest Guidance
specific to MOOC that supports and encourages creative /
experimental and inclusive forms of interaction Might include
initiating professional network social events online or sharing
specialist kinds of knowledge within and outwith MOOC community
Personal enjoyment and stimulation might be supported by
encouraging personal research and selection of topics Signposting
of topics requiring greater independent study to promote sticking
with, deep learning and reflection [c: personal enjoyment] [b:
social learning] [d: learning for work / education] [a: studying
alone] learning for personal enjoyment and intellectual stimulation
learning for the achievement of specific work / educational / CPD/
other specific objectives interested in learning for educational or
work enhancement or other specific objectives In this MOOC you may
be:interested in learning primarily for stimulation and enjoyment
learning actively with peers, generating social involvement and
contributing actively, posting, offering resources..learning
independently, researching own interests, without active social
engagement with MOOC peers. You may enjoy reading their posts and
following links You may alternate between: