Uncovering MOOC Completion: A Comparative Study of Completion Rates from Different Perspectives

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Bibliographic Details
Title: Uncovering MOOC Completion: A Comparative Study of Completion Rates from Different Perspectives
Language: English
Authors: Berkan Celik (ORCID 0000-0002-7068-8918), Kursat Cagiltay (ORCID 0000-0003-1973-7056)
Source: Open Praxis. 2024 16(3):445-456.
Availability: International Council for Open and Distance Education. Lilleakerveien 23, 0283 Oslo, Norway. Tel: +47-22-06-26-30; Fax: +47-22-06-26-31; e-mail: icde@icde.org; Web site: https://openpraxis.org/
Peer Reviewed: Y
Page Count: 12
Publication Date: 2024
Document Type: Journal Articles
Reports - Research
Descriptors: MOOCs, Educational Attainment, Student Educational Objectives, Educational Status Comparison, Intention, Distance Education, Student Attrition, Dropouts, Educational Certificates, Developing Nations
ISSN: 1369-9997
2304-070X
Abstract: Massive Open Online Courses (MOOCs) have received significant global attention but face substantial criticism due to their low completion rates on mainstream platforms. The purpose of this study is to compare MOOC completion rates based on three different perspectives using four MOOCs provided by BilgeIs MOOC Portal. The completion rates based on traditional completion rates, active learners, and learner intentions revealed striking disparities in favor of the completion rates based on learner intentions. Specifically, completion rates based on learner intentions significantly exceeded both the traditional calculation and the active learner assessment for four MOOCs. This outcome underscores the critical importance of contextualizing MOOC completion data. By offering a more holistic perspective, this study contributes significantly to our understanding of the progress of MOOC success, particularly in developing countries. It is worth noting that, even when analyzed from different perspectives, regardless of culture and socio-economic factors, this study also underscored that MOOC dropout remains a prevalent issue in developing countries, lending support to the existing criticisms of completion rates. Nevertheless, it suggests that the issue may not be as severe as portrayed by studies relying solely on traditional completion metrics, as alternative viewpoints reveal completion rates that are notably higher.
Abstractor: As Provided
Entry Date: 2024
Accession Number: EJ1446933
Database: ERIC
Description
Abstract:Massive Open Online Courses (MOOCs) have received significant global attention but face substantial criticism due to their low completion rates on mainstream platforms. The purpose of this study is to compare MOOC completion rates based on three different perspectives using four MOOCs provided by BilgeIs MOOC Portal. The completion rates based on traditional completion rates, active learners, and learner intentions revealed striking disparities in favor of the completion rates based on learner intentions. Specifically, completion rates based on learner intentions significantly exceeded both the traditional calculation and the active learner assessment for four MOOCs. This outcome underscores the critical importance of contextualizing MOOC completion data. By offering a more holistic perspective, this study contributes significantly to our understanding of the progress of MOOC success, particularly in developing countries. It is worth noting that, even when analyzed from different perspectives, regardless of culture and socio-economic factors, this study also underscored that MOOC dropout remains a prevalent issue in developing countries, lending support to the existing criticisms of completion rates. Nevertheless, it suggests that the issue may not be as severe as portrayed by studies relying solely on traditional completion metrics, as alternative viewpoints reveal completion rates that are notably higher.
ISSN:1369-9997
2304-070X