Open Online Courses Research Articles

Comparative Study on Barriers of Supply Chain Management MOOCs in China: Online Review Analysis with a Novel TOPSIS-CoCoSo Approach

To enhance the effectiveness of supply chain talent education, higher education institutions and other organisations have started to develop and use Massive Open Online Courses (MOOCs) in their training programs. However, the problem is that the design and delivery of supply chain management MOOCs can be inappropriately presented and, thus, ineffective, especially for educational teams with fewer teaching experiences of MOOCs. This eventually makes it hard for the students’ learning outcomes to meet the industrial requirements of supply chain experts. Motivated by such a problem, this paper aims to improve the design and delivery of supply chain management MOOCs to enhance student learning outcomes. To achieve this goal, the research method adopted in this paper is to analyse online reviews in a widely-used Chinese MOOC platform with a novel TOPSIS-CoCoSo approach, aiming to identify the barriers to supply chain management MOOCs and their potential solutions. The results of this study show that 16 barriers to MOOCs are identified from the online reviews and then ranked based on their severity of reducing learning outcomes. The perceptions of the severity of the barriers to students and lecturers are compared, and the solutions to the barriers are then discussed. In addition, our comparison indicates that although students and lecturers have similar perceptions of severity for the majority of the barriers, they have significant disagreements on certain barriers. The significance of this study is that it can inform lecturers in supply chain management or relevant disciplines to better design and deliver their MOOC content, as well as contribute to the existing literature by providing new methodological tools for educational analysis. Also, this study highlights the necessity of comparative study in the MOOC online review analysis.

Professional Development of Teacher Educators: Unlocking Opportunities through Massive Open Online Courses

Development of any nation depends mainly on the standards of its educational institutions and the quality of education. Amidst this dynamic environment, Massive Open Online Courses have emerged as a potent tool for facilitating continuous learning and skill enhancement among professionals across diverse domains. Professional development of teacher educators stands as a cornerstone for fostering effective teaching practices and nurturing the next generation of educators. This research seeks to explore the myriad ways in which MOOCs can be leveraged to enhance the professional development of teacher educators. This democratization of education fosters inclusivity and equity in teacher training initiatives. This paper aims to contribute to a deeper understanding of how digital technologies can be harnessed to empower educators, enhance teaching and learning outcomes, and ultimately, transform the landscape of teacher education. This paper concludes that MOOCs have emerged as an asset in the professional development toolkit for teacher educators. MOOCs provide accessible platforms where educators can engage in self-directed learning, access a wealth of resources, and collaborate with peers worldwide, transcending the limitations of traditional professional development methods. Pedagogical strategies in MOOCs are essential for professional development as they enhance learning experiences and outcomes. The flexibility and accessibility of MOOCs, combined with well-designed pedagogical approaches, empower individuals to advance their careers, and maintain lifelong learning, ultimately contributing to professional growth and competence.

Unlocking the Potential in a Gamification-Based MOOC: Assessing Autonomous Learning and Self-Directed Learning Behaviors

Massive open online courses (MOOCs) have significantly advanced online education. Yet, MOOC instructors still grapple with the ongoing challenge of low learner engagement while striving to foster autonomous and self-directed learning (SDL). Integrating gamification into these courses could be a promising solution. However, the extent to which gamification shapes autonomous and SDL behaviors within MOOCs remains underexplored. This mixed-methods sequential explanatory study investigates the interplay between MOOC, gamification, autonomous learning, and SDL behaviors to harness the potential of online education. We address this research void by delving into the intricate relationship between gamification and learners’ engagement in autonomous learning and SDL behaviors. Drawing upon self-determination theory (SDT) as a theoretical framework, we scrutinize how gamified MOOCs influence intrinsic motivation and SDL behaviors. Our study utilizes questionnaires and structured interviews to comprehensively examine the users’ experiences within a gamified MOOC. The findings suggest that thoughtfully integrated gamification elements not only enhance learner engagement but also stimulate autonomous learning and SDL behaviors. However, it is crucial to approach the integration of gamification thoughtfully, ensuring a balance that promotes intrinsic motivation without undue reliance on extrinsic motivators. These findings hold significant implications for educators, course designers, and policymakers leveraging gamification to enrich online learning experiences and cultivate self-directed educational pathways. They offer valuable insights for educators, course designers, and policymakers aiming to leverage gamification for enriching online learning experiences and nurturing self-directed educational pathways in MOOCs.

Empowering Hearing-Impaired Learners for Digital Citizenship: A Thai MOOC-Based Design Thinking Approach

In today's technology-driven world, digital citizenship is vital in fostering responsible technology use and essential skills for learning, problem-solving, and community participation. However, a significant focus emerges within digital citizenship—empowering individuals with disabilities. This research addresses this crucial area by spearheading the creation of a specialized Thai Massive Open Online Course (MOOC) meticulously designed for hearing-impaired learners. The core objective is to equip these individuals with indispensable digital citizenship skills for seamless integration and active engagement in digital environments. The study progresses through three key phases. Phase 1 involves crafting the MOOC course to meet the needs of hearing-impaired individuals. Phase 2 develops a course on the Thai MOOC platform, using the MOOC-based Design Thinking Model and universal design learning principles. Phase 3 assesses 20 hearing-impaired learners in the "Utilizing Online Media as Digital Citizenship Course." The research reveals two significant outcomes, highlighting the course's impact. First, an evaluation of digital media quality and learning activities was conducted by five experts with 15 to 30 years of experience in the field, the result was an impressive performance rating of 4.56 on a 5-point Likert scale, indicating the course's high suitability for hearing-impaired learners. Such findings validate the precise alignment of the course with its intended objectives. Second, the outcomes of learning achievement tests on the Thai MOOC platform involving 20 high school hearing-impaired learners revealed that 15 learners scored above 70 (passing), representing 75%. The average post-test score was higher than the pre-test, with an average score of 72.05 points. These results demonstrate the course's effectiveness in improving learning outcomes and meeting predetermined criteria, while also indicating that adopting the MOOC-based Design Thinking model has led to the creation of high-quality media that delivers tangible results for hearing-impaired individuals. This research contributes to the eLearning field by addressing the specific needs of hearing-impaired individuals in digital citizenship education through tailored online learning courses designed to bridge existing gaps.

The Impact of Motivation on MOOC Retention Rates: A Systematic Review

This systematic review investigates the effectiveness of motivational strategies on learner engagement and retention rates in Massive Open Online Courses (MOOCs). Adhering to the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines, we analyzed 140 studies published between 2014 and 2023 from key academic databases. The objective was to identify and evaluate motivational strategies that significantly reduce MOOC dropout rates. Our findings reveal that personalized learning, interactive content, and peer collaboration are strongly correlated with increased learner engagement and persistence. These strategies align well with learners' intrinsic goals, enhancing their educational experience and adherence to courses. The review also identifies gaps, such as the need for longitudinal studies and culturally tailored motivational strategies, offering a refined agenda for future research in MOOC education. This study contributes to the field by systematically synthesizing existing research, providing new insights into effective educational strategies, and highlighting areas for improvement in MOOC design and implementation. Doi: 10.28991/ESJ-2024-SIED1-08 Full Text: PDF

Who is seeking information about traumatic brain injury? Characterizing online course participants.

Accessible, up-to-date information on traumatic brain injury (TBI) can be challenging to find and is needed to address TBI knowledge gaps and improve outcomes for people who experience a TBI. The Understanding TBI Massive Open Online Course (TBI MOOC) was developed to increase TBI knowledge across a diverse global audience. We sought to characterize the TBI MOOC participant cohort, to understand the reach of the course among this target audience. Examining the characteristics of TBI MOOC enrollees showed that participants came from a wide range of demographic backgrounds, had a variety of TBI experiences and had multiple reasons for enrolling in the MOOC. The majority of course participants shared some characteristics with other groups of health information seekers. Four distinct demographic profiles were identified among TBI MOOC participants (education seekers, TBI-aware participants, TBI care providers and retirees) using a novel approach combining chi-squared tests and network modularity. Participants assigned to the TBI-aware and retiree profiles were most likely to complete all modules of the MOOC, and the TBI-aware profile was more highly represented in more recent iterations of the MOOC. Together, these data indicate that the TBI MOOC provided information to a wide range of people, and particularly engaged participants with personal or family experience of TBI. However, engagement with this course was minimal among some hard-to-reach populations, including men and people with low levels of education, indicating that additional strategies are needed to ensure equity in health promotion.

Design principles for MOOC platforms: a public sector perspective

Purpose One impediment of e-government implementation is the lack of e-(government) competences among public officials, especially because foundational education programs fail to teach them. Therefore, this study suggests massive open online course (MOOC)-based continuous education. This study aims to design and evaluate a MOOC and MOOC platform for acquiring e-competence in the public sector and principles for such platforms to capture their inherent design knowledge. Design/methodology/approach This study uses design science research incorporating qualitative and quantitative methods and draws on established patterns of formulating design principles (DPs). Findings The core results are a physically instantiated MOOC platform and six DPs: DP of 1) easy access and easy use, 2) professional exchange, 3) protected space, 4) domain focus, 5) cooperation with higher education institutions and 6) promotion from higher government level. Research limitations/implications This study contributes to e-government research by extending the design knowledge for the construction of domain-specific MOOC platforms. Moreover, the study contributes to platform economics by discussing existing theses and outlining new opportunities. The research also entails limitations, as the authors have solely considered MOOCs and neglected complimentary offers to sustain learning success. Practical implications This study provides practitioners with design principles they can use in their efforts to construct education platforms for the public sector. Moreover, the study presents a working MOOC platform instantiating these DPs, and thus provides an exemplary reference. Social implications Not fulfilling expectations regarding digital public services comes with a risk of decreasing trust in public organizations and the overall government. The results of this study contribute to enabling public officials fulfilling stakeholders’ expectations and generating public value. Originality/value By linking e-government competence education with MOOC platform design, this research approximates an important research gap. Scholars previously investigated e-competences and focused on alone-standing MOOCs to convey those. The results of this study offer the potential to construct platforms to centralize such fragmented solutions, maximizing their impact among public officials.

Development, Feasibility, and Knowledge Impact of a Massive Open Online Course on Radiation Safety: A Multicentre Prospective Cohort Study

Development, Feasibility, and Knowledge Impact of a Massive Open Online Course on Radiation Safety: A Multicentre Prospective Cohort Study

SHORT COMMUNICATION PAPER: " STRENGTHENING CONTINUING NURSING EDUCATION: A COMPREHENSIVE MODULE USING MOOCS FOR EFFECTIVE RISK COMMUNICATION IN GLOBAL HEALTH EMERGENCIES"

This study develops an innovative Massive Open Online Course (MOOC) module specifically designed for continuing nursing education considering the critical need for efficient healthcare risk communication in the context of global health emergencies. The study utilised Thiagarajan's 4D development model, which was modified into a 3D model consisting of the stages: define, design, and develop. Through a comprehensive literature analysis, the study attempted to identify variable risk communication strategies that are crucial for successfully handling the always-evolving complexity of health emergencies. A mixed-method approach was utilised to evaluate the readiness among nurses for learning through MOOCs, hence guiding the design and development processes. By employing rigorous literature reviews and focus group discussions, researchers identified and validated crucial information, which ultimately resulted in the development of a MOOC course on the IIUM iTtaleem platform. The developed MOOC module was thoroughly examined by subject matter experts to ensure its accuracy. The pilot test conducted with SASMEC nurses revealed a notable improvement in the participants' understanding and confidence regarding risk communication. The module's interactive elements, such as virtual simulations and case studies, were praised for offering hands-on learning opportunities. The result of the research is a MOOC module that can be accessed worldwide, containing video lectures, quizzes, and virtual scenarios. The dissemination of guidelines for integration into nursing education programmes has highlighted its capacity to strengthen healthcare systems in the face of global health concerns. Future intentions include implementing multilingual translations and partnering with international nursing organisations to guarantee ongoing relevance and influence in the dynamic field of global health emergencies.

AN INVESTIGATION INTO CURRENT CONDITION OF THE FORMATION OF FOREIGN LANGUAGE PROFESSIONAL-COMMUNICATIVE COMPETENCIES IN ONLINE EDUCATIONAL FORMAT (IN THE SAMPLE OF NON-LINGUISTIC UNIVERSITIES)

This article is written to determine the peculiarities of formation of foreign language professional-communicative competencies of the non-linguistic university students in online education. The authors scrutinize the key aspects of professional-communicative competencies in foreign language based on the earliest investigations provided by foreign and Kazakhstani scholars and on the results of the questionnaire. Moreover, the authors emphasized the significance of online education in the formation of professional-communicative competencies in foreign languages on the basis of the monitor and report, made by National Center for Higher Education Development. However, authors claim that the challenges persist in some Kazakhstani universities, including non-linguistic ones. Despite the universities have utilized the platform to offer massive open online courses, they still face issues related to methodological and technological aspects of online education implementation. Thus, the authors demonstrate the overview on the procedure of integration of online lessons, especially, for the development of foreign language professsional-communicative competencies in agrarian universities. In this regard, the research was carried out among 200 students and teaching staff of the S. Seifullin Kazakh Agrotechnical Research University to identify the current condition of foreign language professional-communicative competencies formation in online education.

REVOLUTIONIZING AND DEMOCRATIZING DIGITAL LEARNING: A CASE STUDY OF THE TRANSFORMATIVE IMPACT OF MASSIVE OPEN ONLINE COURSES IN CREATIVE EDUCATION

This paper explores the transformative influence of Massive Open Online Courses (MOOCs) on creative education, focusing on the democratization of knowledge and analyzing student engagement in virtual classrooms. The primary objective is to investigate how MOOCs democratize knowledge for creative learners, emphasizing the global accessibility, flexibility, and cost-effectiveness of online courses. In-depth interview with working professionals and online learners constitutes the methodology, allowing participants to share experiences and uncover the emotional and personal aspects of their educational journey.Findings reveal that creative learners prefer MOOCs for their flexibility, allowing learning at one's own pace, replaying specific sections, and accessing diverse courses at a lower cost compared to traditional platforms. The inclusivity of MOOCs enables interdisciplinary learning, expanding domain knowledge and fostering collaboration among learners from various backgrounds. The study underscores the practical benefits of increased job opportunities and diverse skill acquisition. In conclusion, this research highlights the transformative impact of MOOCs, democratizing education for creative learners and offering a paradigm shift in educational delivery. The findings emphasize the need for transparent course information and recorded solutions to enhance the overall learning experience in the evolving landscape of online education.

Possibilities for integrating massive open online courses for language learning in higher education

Possibilities for integrating massive open online courses for language learning in higher education

Equality in higher education opportunities: Practitioners’ perspectives from global, rural, post-colonial disability

This paper gathers practitioner perspectives on tuition-free online courses and their potential to improve equality in higher education. Through an intersectional lens of race, gender, income, and indigeneity, this paper focuses on the experience of people living with disabilities (PLWD) as a further marginalized sub-population within diverse marginalized populations. Of note, disability-knowledge held by PLWD and by their family members can position them as sensitive and effective healthcare or disability-care providers. At the same time, society often does not grant an easy pathway to this education and licensure. The existing landscape of massive open online courses (MOOCs) may present tuition-free learning, but accreditation can rest upon payment and other complex structures. Even after PLWDs gather financial resources for official accreditation, prospective employers have the autonomy to determine whether this learning is valid. In a global context, low-income families may experience internal competition for financing between PLWD and non-disabled siblings. Securing a future in which payment models and disability-needs are accommodated for in MOOCs can alter multiple life trajectories in the families of PLWD and ensure that the intersectionally marginalized may equally benefit from open education.

Adoption and Utilization of Online Open Courseware by Postgraduate and Doctoral Students: A Case Study

This study investigates the level of awareness about and usage of Online Open Course Ware (OCW) among Postgraduate (PG) and PhD students. It examines the challenges faced by students and identifies preferred OCW platforms. A structured Google questionnaire was distributed among PG and PhD students of various departments, yielding responses from 114 participants. Findings reveal high awareness of online learning, proactive engagement with digital educational resources, substantial utilisation of OCW platforms, and notable challenges including slow internet speed. Swayam emerged as the most recognised OCW platform, with hurdles including slow internet speed and lack of guidance. Despite positive attitudes towards online learning and OCW, further efforts are warranted to enhance awareness and address utilization challenges.

Health Care Workers' Motivations for Enrolling in Massive Open Online Courses During a Public Health Emergency: Descriptive Analysis.

Massive open online courses (MOOCs) are increasingly used to educate health care workers during public health emergencies. In early 2020, the World Health Organization (WHO) developed a series of MOOCs for COVID-19, introducing the disease and strategies to control its outbreak, with 6 courses specifically targeting health care workers as learners. In 2020, Stanford University also launched a MOOC designed to deliver accurate and timely education on COVID-19, equipping health care workers across the globe to provide health care safely and effectively to patients with the novel infectious disease. Although the use of MOOCs for just-in-time training has expanded during the pandemic, evidence is limited regarding the factors motivating health care workers to enroll in and complete courses, particularly in low-income countries (LICs) and lower-middle-income countries (LMICs). This study seeks to gain insights on the characteristics and motivations of learners turning to MOOCs for just-in-time training, to provide evidence that can better inform MOOC design to meet the needs of health care workers. We examine data from learners in 1 Stanford University and 6 WHO COVID-19 courses to identify (1) the characteristics of health care workers completing the courses and (2) the factors motivating them to enroll. We analyze (1) course registration data of the 49,098 health care workers who completed the 7 focal courses and (2) survey responses from 6272 course completers. The survey asked respondents to rank their motivations for enrollment and share feedback about their learning experience. We use descriptive statistics to compare responses by health care profession and by World Bank country income classification. Health care workers completed the focal courses from all regions of the world, with nearly one-third (14,159/49,098, 28.84%) practicing in LICs and LMICs. Survey data revealed a diverse range of professional roles among the learners, including physicians (2171/6272, 34.61%); nurses (1599/6272, 25.49%); and other health care professionals such as allied health professionals, community health workers, paramedics, and pharmacists (2502/6272, 39.89%). Across all health care professions, the primary motivation to enroll was for personal learning to improve clinical practice. Continuing education credit was also an important motivator, particularly for nonphysicians and learners in LICs and LMICs. Course cost (3423/6272, 54.58%) and certification (4238/6272, 67.57%) were also important to a majority of learners. Our results demonstrate that a diverse range of health care professionals accessed MOOCs for just-in-time training during a public health emergency. Although all health care workers were motivated to improve their clinical practice, different factors were influential across professions and locations. These factors should be considered in MOOC design to meet the needs of health care workers, particularly those in lower-resource settings where alternative avenues for training may be limited.

Reviewing the effectiveness of lexicon-based techniques for sentiment analysis in massive open online courses

Reviewing the effectiveness of lexicon-based techniques for sentiment analysis in massive open online courses

Awareness And Participation in Massive Open Online Courses (MOOCs) Among Lecturers of Umar Ibn Ibrahim El-Kanemi College of Education, Science and Technology, P.M.B. 16, Bama, Borno State

Awareness And Participation in Massive Open Online Courses (MOOCs) Among Lecturers of Umar Ibn Ibrahim El-Kanemi College of Education, Science and Technology, P.M.B. 16, Bama, Borno State

NEEDS ANALYSIS: DEVELOPING AN ESP SPEAKING MOOC MODEL IN HIGER EDUCATION CONTEXT

This study aims to investigate the needs and learning requirements of English for Specific Purposes (ESP) students in the context of developing a Massive Open Online Course (MOOC) model for ESP speaking skills. The research employed a qualitative approach, utilizing Comprehensive Needs Analysis (CNA) techniques. Data was collected through document analysis, Forum Group Discussions (FGDs) with students, interviews with lecturers, and meetings with experts. Data analysis followed qualitative methodologies, including data reduction, display, and conclusion drawing. The study reveals significant insights into students' backgrounds, English proficiency levels, and experiences with MOOCs. Participants primarily perceive their English proficiency as intermediate. While MOOCs are viewed as valuable supplementary resources, students desire more diversity and interactivity in their online learning experiences. Furthermore, the research highlights students' desires for comprehensive speaking skills development, integrated learning experiences, supportive learning environments, and user-friendly technology platforms. This study fills a gap in the literature by investigating the specific needs and learning requirements of ESP students for developing an ESP Speaking MOOC model, particularly in Indonesian context. The findings suggest the importance of prioritizing speaking skills, integrating various language skills, fostering supportive learning environments, and leveraging user-friendly technology platforms in the development of ESP Speaking MOOC models. Addressing these needs is crucial for maximizing learning outcomes and student engagement in online language learning environments.

Improvement of attitudes and skills using a MOOC about the basic science of climate change

Education needs to be at the forefront of the efforts to mitigate and adapt to Climate Change (CC) effects. We have introduced the Climate Change Competence (C3) to provide a comprehensive route to include the topics of sustainability and CC into the curriculum. This paper analyses how different primary and secondary teachers can improve this competence using a Massive Online Open Course (MOOC) on the basic science of CC. While the improvement in knowledge is expected, we have observed important advances on abilities, and attitudes on CC which are also essential to teach about CC mitigation and adaptation. The present study used a pre-experimental design, with pre-and post-test measurements with a sample of 530 students. While the MOOC focuses on the Science of CC, the participants also advance in attitudes and abilities, revealing an important correlation between these three dimensions of competence. Also, the study reveals that the MOOC improves the C3 in all the participants, but it does in diverse ways for diverse groups.

Influence of massive open online courses implementation on satisfaction and continuance intention of students

PurposeThe engineering courses offered in Somali universities attract many students, ranging between 300 and 500 every semester, making the management and delivery of the course challenging. The increasing popularity of massive open online courses (MOOCs) has led to rapid growth in enrollment, posing difficulties in effectively managing and delivering content to large volumes of learners. To this end, this study aimed to explore the influence of MOOC implementation factors on learners’ continuance intention and satisfaction to provide insights that can enhance the learning experience and ensure long-term engagement.Design/methodology/approachThe study utilized a survey approach based on an extensive literature review to collect data on the challenges faced by Somali universities in managing and delivering engineering courses. The survey included a series of questions, and 148 responses were collected from students enrolled in different programs. The collected data were analyzed using partial least squares-structural equation modeling and deep neural network approaches.FindingsThe result demonstrated that MOOC implementation factors, including course design quality, instructor reputation, self-paced flexibility, information relevance, platform usability and student support services, significantly affect students’ continuance intention and satisfaction. Therefore, the study recommends universities should enhance MOOC implementation factors to improve the quality of teaching and increase students’ continuance intention to study in a MOOC environment.Originality/valueThe study provides empirical evidence on how MOOC implementation factors affect the level of satisfaction and continuance intention of engineering students. It suggests that the findings could be useful for university management and lecturers to increase teaching and learning quality in the course and develop new strategies and approaches that suit modern-day learners. The study also aims to enhance the efficiency and effectiveness of class delivery and improve student engagement in the learning process.