MOOCs employability through Personal Learning Environments

Editor's Notes

• #3: Explaining what the lab is and where we are based
• #4: Web Science Training at the University of Southampton offers 4 year fully funded PhD studentships in web science.  Each cohort of doctoral students are trained by a dedicated doctoral training centre sponsored by the EPSRC, the University of Southampton and Industry.  At the PhD training centre, doctoral students are part of the Web Science Institute. Les Carr is the professor who runs the DTC soon to be DCT
• #5: MOOCs for Universities and Learners: An analysis of motivating factors Presentation to CSEDU2014, Barcelona, 1st April 2014 363541 Su White, Web and Internet Science, University of Southampton Keywords: MOOCs, Education Disruption, Motivations for Learning, Institutional Strategy Abstract: Massively Open Online Courses (MOOCs) are a recent introduction to the palette of educational offerings yet in a short time they have become the subject of massive interest and hype. There are those that predict that these free courses are the first ripple in the coming wave of disruption that the web and on-line education will cause to traditional universities. However University investments in producing MOOCs are increasing exponentially and at the same time learners are enthusiastically registering in their tens of thousands for these courses. This paper describes some research into the motivations for universities to create MOOCs and the motivations of learners in registering and completing them. Our results show a spectrum of motivations for universities, and suggest a need for individual universities to be clear of where they sit in that spectrum. For students we see that motivations can vary significantly across cultures. Su White Web and Internet Science, ECSUniversity of SouthamptonSO17 1BJ, UK saw@ecs.soton.ac.uk @suukii http://www.ecs.soton.ac.uk/people/saw/ I am pleased to connect on LinkedIn with people IF I have met them AND we have some shared interest If I don’t recognise you from your invitation, I will not connect
• #6: In September 2013 the first UK based MOOC platform, FutureLearn, announced its first batch of twenty MOOCs. These MOOCs ran in the final quarter of 2013 and included the University of Southampton’s first MOOC “Web Science: how the web is changing the world”. The research described in this paper was part of our attempt to answer the questions “why are we doing this?” and “why would the learners want to study MOOCs?” These questions are worthy of discussion at a time when the landscape for higher education is widely predicted to change, as the result of the disruption caused, mainly by the way the web is changing the world! Reports such as Barber et al., 2013 predict that business models for higher education are about to collapse in much the same way that the music industry’s business model collapsed in the 2000’s; and possibly MOOCs are the Napster in this scenario. These predictions are being followed by real financial investment: text book publishers are rapidly re-inventing themselves as purveyors of on-line education, and lobbying government for a level playing field with universities; and venture capitalists are lining up at universities’ doors trying to buy into a share of their more popular courses. Venture capitalists expect quick profits, so they are presumably banking on rapid disruption. If MOOCs are at the frontier of such disruption, then what is the motivation for universities to embrace them rather than resist them? In 2013 many universities, for example in the in the UK FutureLearn Consortium, have been investing greater sums of money in developing single MOOCs (sums of £30K - £60K are regularly quoted) than they have been accustomed to investing in the development of much longer courses. It is relevant therefore to ask what is the business model for universities in making this investment. When it comes to student motivation for learning, teachers in higher education have insisted for years that learning is driven by assessment (e.g. Boud, 1995), and yet learners are registering for MOOCs in an enormously wide range of subjects in their tens of thousands. Clearly they are not motivated by grades since in most MOOCs there are no grades. So it is valid to ask why these students are so interested in studying MOOCs. In carrying out our research on student motivation we wished to get beyond the survey of the set of students that completed a particular MOOC and to investigate some of the cultural differences in motivations, so our results are based on a survey circulated by social media within the UK, Spain and Syria.
• #7: FL Context in 2012 various UK institutions entered the fray including the Universities of Edinburgh and London who used the US Coursera platform. In 2013 a consortium led by the Open University launched FutureLearn to predominantly host British courses. The University of Southampton was an early FutureLearn partner.
• #9: FL Context in 2012 various UK institutions entered the fray including the Universities of Edinburgh and London who used the US Coursera platform. In 2013 a consortium led by the Open University launched FutureLearn to predominantly host British courses. The University of Southampton was an early FutureLearn partner.
• #15: 4 FINDINGS: MOTIVATIONS of LEARNERS 4.1 Findings A total of 258 questionnaires were completed: 52 English, 193 Arabic, 40 Spanish. The majority of respondents were in the 18-24 age range there are variations depending on the survey language identified throughout the survey. Male respondents formed the majority (72.5%). We note that this sample may not be typical of the MOOC learner community as it has so far emerged in the USA and UK, where typical figures indicate roughly equal participation across the age range and genders. We assume that the method of distributing the survey may have had an effect. Table 1: The majority of respondents were male. English 67.3% male Arabic 77.2% male Spanish 48.7% male   When participants were asked about the platform, figure 1, Coursera leads by far over other platforms. However, this percentage is higher in the English questionnaire than in the rest. It is important to note that close to the 25% of those who answered the questionnaire in Spanish identified a platform tailored to Spanish language MOOCs called Miriadax, Similarly Arabic respondents indicated a range of other platforms, such as the Virtual Syrian University. (Note that at the time of this survey, FutureLearn had not yet launched).   Figure 1: MOOC platform used Figure 2: Distribution of responses about motivation A large volume of interesting data have been obtained from this questionnaire, however, the remainder of this paper will focus on motivation related data, concentrating on reasons that that led respondents to participate in a MOOC. In this section, respondents could choose from a number of options and could check more than one. Carefully analysing these data, a number of reasons normally found in the web and scientific discussions, appear to be confirmed. Figure 2 shows all options: The following analysis explores the findings, indicating whether or not they underpin, widely perceived motivations behind learners on MOOCs. 4.1.1 MOOCs are free and open Free availability is the important factor according to the survey selected by 67%. A particularly high number of respondents from the Spanish questionnaire selected this option (72.5%). Providing educational resources for free is not a new and open licensing for software, resources and learning objects is well established. MIT launched the Open Course Ware project (OCW), in 2001 to share web-based teaching materials under Creative Commons licenses. The main difference between MOOCs and OCW is that while initiatives like OCW focus on sharing teaching materials, Universities are using MOOCs to realise a complete learning process. Learners are not only able to access the material, but they can also follow lessons, develop activities, talk with online-classmates, and even be evaluated, all for free and usually open. If freeness is a fundamental aspect that motivates students to follow a MOOC, and it would be interesting to know which aspect of this is most relevant to them. 4.1.2 MOOCs are convenient: fitting around life There are clear differences in motivation related to fitting study time around your life, in general, this selection is not chosen by a lot of people (36%), but it is of interest. The Arabic responses show 27.5% interested in this aspect, the Spanish represents 65%. The majority of Spanish participants were in full time employment which may be the reason that they rate this aspect as relevant. 4.1.3 MOOCs update knowledge and improve CVs The question A MOOC helps to improve a CV: appears more related to the need for certification to be shown in a CV. In the survey, improving CV was selected by 54.4% of all participants as one reason to use the knowledge in a MOOC, but this percentage rose to 61.7% of Arabic participants, probably because the majority were students. This is consistent with other studies, for example in the study by Duke University (Belanger & Thornton, 2013 this is been highlighted as the main reason students participated. A MOOC helps to update knowledge: has been highlighted by many as very relevant and motivation. Specifically 59.1% of Arabic and 70% of Spanish participants said that one main reason to do a MOOC is to refresh knowledge. 4.1.4 MOOCs build a social learning community MOOCs may have social components that motivate learners to register to participate. Some 55.8% of respondents affirmed they were the first among acquaintances, family, colleagues and friends to participate in a MOOC. However 124 respondents from 285 found out about MOOCs via social media and then decided to participate. MOOCs can represent an opportunity for socialization. Online community has become increasingly important in the Internet user’s life. Web 2.0 tools (blogs, wikis, social networks) make the Web as a place to develop social community where participation is important. 4.1.5 MOOCs satisfy interest and are useful In a market with a lot of options, MOOCs can represent a new way to learn and access to interesting digital content. Interest in the topic is one important reason for participating in a MOOC, 56.8% overall. English respondents showed the highest preference with 80% of English respondents selecting this aspect. Usefulness also features; 60.6% of participants overall declared they would use the knowledge gained during the MOOC in a personal project, and 63.2% in personal development These data follow the same line as other research, such as Duke University, in North Carolina, USA, which found that interest in the topic was identified by 87% of the students as a motivational aspect (Belanger & Thornton, 2013). In this same study, many students indicated that they thought the course would be fun and enjoyable. This aspect of ‘edutainment’ where usefulness and fun intersect may be of real importance. 4.1.6 MOOCs enable learning with the best The origin of MOOCs in prestigious Universities, or by the effort of high profile or world leading academics may explain their apparent popularity and rapid growth and their power to attract the attention to many different learners. Although not quite the majority, about half the respondents, 48.1%, identified ‘provider was a word class university’ as a reason for participation. The power of some Universities is apparent. There is some difference by origin of respondents. English respondents show the least interest at 38.5%; Spanish 43%; Arabic 51.8%. 4.1.7 MOOCs provide professional development and lifelong learning The University of Edinburgh report summarising of the experience of their six Coursera MOOCs in May, 2013 observed “In general, we attracted adults with high educational attainments”. That is reflected in the survey 208 of the 282 have a degree (mainly undergraduate 133 of 285. There are more post-doctorate learners in English and Spanish than in Arabic respondents. The largest represented age range (50,5%), is between 18 and 24 but there are a lot of differences depending on the scope: most Arabic users are in the range of 18-24 years old, this percentage decreases in English and even more so in the Spanish results, in where the largest represented age range is the 25-34 years old. Motivations for 18 to 34 years may be closely related to the opportunity to improve their career, and moreover, enhance their professional network. Half the respondents indicated that participating in a MOOC enabled them to enhance their professional development and improve their knowledge in the workplace. Among Spanish participants the percentage identifying this as an important factor rises to 77.5%   Figure 3: How will you use the knowledge gained during your MOOC   The survey asked how respondents would use the knowledge gained in the MOOC (figure 3). The most widely identified factors were personal development and projects. In a world increasingly multidimensional and diverse, MOOCs can work in Universities as a piece of the system providing open learning opportunities forming part of the learner’s personal learning network. Professional and personal development needs are increasing alongside rapid business change. Therefore, MOOCs can offer a learning opportunity for people to develop life long learning.  
• #16: MOOCs are free and open Convenience: Any time any place Update knowledge, enhance CV Build a learning community Satisfy interest/useful (edutainment) Learning with the best Professional Development/ Lifelong Learning
• #17: 4 FINDINGS: MOTIVATIONS of LEARNERS 4.1 Findings A total of 258 questionnaires were completed: 52 English, 193 Arabic, 40 Spanish. The majority of respondents were in the 18-24 age range there are variations depending on the survey language identified throughout the survey. Male respondents formed the majority (72.5%). We note that this sample may not be typical of the MOOC learner community as it has so far emerged in the USA and UK, where typical figures indicate roughly equal participation across the age range and genders. We assume that the method of distributing the survey may have had an effect. Table 1: The majority of respondents were male. English 67.3% male Arabic 77.2% male Spanish 48.7% male   When participants were asked about the platform, figure 1, Coursera leads by far over other platforms. However, this percentage is higher in the English questionnaire than in the rest. It is important to note that close to the 25% of those who answered the questionnaire in Spanish identified a platform tailored to Spanish language MOOCs called Miriadax, Similarly Arabic respondents indicated a range of other platforms, such as the Virtual Syrian University. (Note that at the time of this survey, FutureLearn had not yet launched).   Figure 1: MOOC platform used Figure 2: Distribution of responses about motivation A large volume of interesting data have been obtained from this questionnaire, however, the remainder of this paper will focus on motivation related data, concentrating on reasons that that led respondents to participate in a MOOC. In this section, respondents could choose from a number of options and could check more than one. Carefully analysing these data, a number of reasons normally found in the web and scientific discussions, appear to be confirmed. Figure 2 shows all options: The following analysis explores the findings, indicating whether or not they underpin, widely perceived motivations behind learners on MOOCs. 4.1.1 MOOCs are free and open Free availability is the important factor according to the survey selected by 67%. A particularly high number of respondents from the Spanish questionnaire selected this option (72.5%). Providing educational resources for free is not a new and open licensing for software, resources and learning objects is well established. MIT launched the Open Course Ware project (OCW), in 2001 to share web-based teaching materials under Creative Commons licenses. The main difference between MOOCs and OCW is that while initiatives like OCW focus on sharing teaching materials, Universities are using MOOCs to realise a complete learning process. Learners are not only able to access the material, but they can also follow lessons, develop activities, talk with online-classmates, and even be evaluated, all for free and usually open. If freeness is a fundamental aspect that motivates students to follow a MOOC, and it would be interesting to know which aspect of this is most relevant to them. 4.1.2 MOOCs are convenient: fitting around life There are clear differences in motivation related to fitting study time around your life, in general, this selection is not chosen by a lot of people (36%), but it is of interest. The Arabic responses show 27.5% interested in this aspect, the Spanish represents 65%. The majority of Spanish participants were in full time employment which may be the reason that they rate this aspect as relevant. 4.1.3 MOOCs update knowledge and improve CVs The question A MOOC helps to improve a CV: appears more related to the need for certification to be shown in a CV. In the survey, improving CV was selected by 54.4% of all participants as one reason to use the knowledge in a MOOC, but this percentage rose to 61.7% of Arabic participants, probably because the majority were students. This is consistent with other studies, for example in the study by Duke University (Belanger & Thornton, 2013 this is been highlighted as the main reason students participated. A MOOC helps to update knowledge: has been highlighted by many as very relevant and motivation. Specifically 59.1% of Arabic and 70% of Spanish participants said that one main reason to do a MOOC is to refresh knowledge. 4.1.4 MOOCs build a social learning community MOOCs may have social components that motivate learners to register to participate. Some 55.8% of respondents affirmed they were the first among acquaintances, family, colleagues and friends to participate in a MOOC. However 124 respondents from 285 found out about MOOCs via social media and then decided to participate. MOOCs can represent an opportunity for socialization. Online community has become increasingly important in the Internet user’s life. Web 2.0 tools (blogs, wikis, social networks) make the Web as a place to develop social community where participation is important. 4.1.5 MOOCs satisfy interest and are useful In a market with a lot of options, MOOCs can represent a new way to learn and access to interesting digital content. Interest in the topic is one important reason for participating in a MOOC, 56.8% overall. English respondents showed the highest preference with 80% of English respondents selecting this aspect. Usefulness also features; 60.6% of participants overall declared they would use the knowledge gained during the MOOC in a personal project, and 63.2% in personal development These data follow the same line as other research, such as Duke University, in North Carolina, USA, which found that interest in the topic was identified by 87% of the students as a motivational aspect (Belanger & Thornton, 2013). In this same study, many students indicated that they thought the course would be fun and enjoyable. This aspect of ‘edutainment’ where usefulness and fun intersect may be of real importance. 4.1.6 MOOCs enable learning with the best The origin of MOOCs in prestigious Universities, or by the effort of high profile or world leading academics may explain their apparent popularity and rapid growth and their power to attract the attention to many different learners. Although not quite the majority, about half the respondents, 48.1%, identified ‘provider was a word class university’ as a reason for participation. The power of some Universities is apparent. There is some difference by origin of respondents. English respondents show the least interest at 38.5%; Spanish 43%; Arabic 51.8%. 4.1.7 MOOCs provide professional development and lifelong learning The University of Edinburgh report summarising of the experience of their six Coursera MOOCs in May, 2013 observed “In general, we attracted adults with high educational attainments”. That is reflected in the survey 208 of the 282 have a degree (mainly undergraduate 133 of 285. There are more post-doctorate learners in English and Spanish than in Arabic respondents. The largest represented age range (50,5%), is between 18 and 24 but there are a lot of differences depending on the scope: most Arabic users are in the range of 18-24 years old, this percentage decreases in English and even more so in the Spanish results, in where the largest represented age range is the 25-34 years old. Motivations for 18 to 34 years may be closely related to the opportunity to improve their career, and moreover, enhance their professional network. Half the respondents indicated that participating in a MOOC enabled them to enhance their professional development and improve their knowledge in the workplace. Among Spanish participants the percentage identifying this as an important factor rises to 77.5%   Figure 3: How will you use the knowledge gained during your MOOC   The survey asked how respondents would use the knowledge gained in the MOOC (figure 3). The most widely identified factors were personal development and projects. In a world increasingly multidimensional and diverse, MOOCs can work in Universities as a piece of the system providing open learning opportunities forming part of the learner’s personal learning network. Professional and personal development needs are increasing alongside rapid business change. Therefore, MOOCs can offer a learning opportunity for people to develop life long learning.  
• #18: It is also possible to look at MOOCs from the theoretical perspective of technology affordances. Like all technology-based systems, MOOCs exhibit a range of technology affordances (Gaver, 1996); in particular MOOCs would appear to assist in personal development in the following manner: Participation in MOOCs provides the opportunity for situated learning (Lave and Wenger 1991), and participation in communities of practice (Wenger 1998). MOOC environments supports the development of digital literacies, effectively enabling a digital ‘congnitive apprenticeship’. Raising awareness of existing skills and abilities in the digital learning domain, which evolve and develop thought participation in the MOOC has the potential to increase the learners’ self-efficacy (Bandura, 1993)and thus their ultimate employability. Educationally the MOOC environment provides structured opportunities to guide learners towards evolving the set of personal digital literacies, demonstrated by ‘super- users’ (Fournier and Kop 2010), that are most relevant to their personal, educational and career choices.