Insight into learners’ experience in LMOOCs

Abstract

The objective of our study was to understand learners’ experiences in an LMOOC (Language Massive Open Online Course) and to highlight those elements that make an LMOOC successful. Our research focused on three questions: how do learners perceive their overall experience in the course, which specific LMOOC components learners appreciate, and to what degree the course helped learners achieve their personal learning goals. For our study we collected quantitative and qualitative responses from 226 learners, and we created a unique four-dimensional analysis framework to code each unit of meaning in order to answer our research questions in a systematic way. Learners’ overall experience was rated highly, and the majority of them think the course helped them achieve their learning objectives. Consuming content was the most referred and appreciated learning activity, with video interviews being the most frequently mentioned LMOOC component as well as perceived as a high contributor to both language and cultural knowledge acquisition. Variety was another highly appreciated aspect. In general, receptive activities were the most frequently mentioned and appreciated, perhaps reflecting their preponderance in the course over productive activities. We conclude with some recommendations for future directions in LMOOC development, particularly in the communicative realm.