Factors for Success and Course Completion in Massive Open Online Courses through the Lens of Participant Types

BİNGÖL İ., KURŞUN E., KAYADUMAN H.

Open Praxis, vol.12, no.2, pp.223-239, 2020 (ESCI) identifier

  • Publication Type: Article / Article
  • Volume: 12 Issue: 2
  • Publication Date: 2020
  • Doi Number: 10.5944/openpraxis.12.2.1067
  • Journal Name: Open Praxis
  • Journal Indexes: Emerging Sources Citation Index (ESCI), EBSCO Education Source, Educational research abstracts (ERA), ERIC (Education Resources Information Center), Directory of Open Access Journals, DIALNET
  • Page Numbers: pp.223-239
  • Keywords: open and distance education, massive open online courses (MOOCs), success factors, course completion, MOOCS, MOTIVATION, STUDENTS
  • Inonu University Affiliated: No

Abstract

The main purpose of this study is to investigate the factors for success and course completion through the lens of participants in a Massive Open Online Courses (MOOCs) system implemented in Turkey. Thirty-two participants were selected on the basis of purposive sampling among 5000 enrolled users from 10 MOOCs, who were then classified into 3 types -lurking, moderately active, memorably active- based on their participation rate in the course activities. The data were collected via the use of two semi-structured interviews. According to the findings, the factors for success in MOOCs to the participants were divided into three categories: instructor effectiveness, course design, and personal factors. As to the factors for course completion, the categories identified were the instructor, course design, personal factors, technical issues, and affordability/clarity. The findings regarding success and course completion were discussed in detail and recommendations were provided to enhance participation in MOOCs.