Types of Participant Behavior in a Massive Open Online Course

Authors

  • Tali Kahan Tel Aviv University
  • Tal Soffer Tel Aviv Univeristy
  • Rafi Nachmias Tel Aviv University

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.19173/irrodl.v18i6.3087

Keywords:

massive open online course, types of participant behavior, educational data mining, cluster analysis

Abstract

In recent years there has been a proliferation of massive open online courses (MOOCs), which provide unprecedented opportunities for lifelong learning. Registrants approach these courses with a variety of motivations for participation. Characterizing the different types of participation in MOOCs is fundamental in order to be able to better evaluate the phenomenon and to support MOOCs developers and instructors in devising courses which are adapted for different learners' needs. Thus, the purpose of this study was to characterize the different types of participant behavior in a MOOC. Using a data mining methodology, 21,889 participants of a MOOC were classified into clusters, based on their activity in the main learning resources of the course: video lectures, discussion forums, and assessments. Thereafter, the participants in each cluster were characterized in regard to demographics, course participation, and course achievement characteristics. Seven types of participant behavior were identified: Tasters (64.8%), Downloaders (8.5%), Disengagers (11.5%), Offline Engagers (3.6%), Online Engagers (7.4%), Moderately Social Engagers (3.7%), and Social Engagers (0.6%). A significant number of 1,020 participants were found to be engaged in the course, but did not achieve a certificate. The types are discussed according to the established research questions. The results provide further evidence regarding the utilization of the flexibility, which is offered in MOOCs, by the participants according to their needs. Furthermore, this study supports the claim that MOOCs' impact should not be evaluated solely based on certification rates but rather based on learning behaviors.

Author Biographies

Tali Kahan, Tel Aviv University

School of Education
PhD Student

Tal Soffer, Tel Aviv Univeristy

School of Education
Dr.

Rafi Nachmias, Tel Aviv University

School of Education
Professor

Published

2017-09-25

How to Cite

Kahan, T., Soffer, T., & Nachmias, R. (2017). Types of Participant Behavior in a Massive Open Online Course. The International Review of Research in Open and Distributed Learning, 18(6). https://doi.org/10.19173/irrodl.v18i6.3087

Issue

Section

Research Articles