Learning in Massive Open Online Courses (MOOCs) necessitates learners to be capable of self-regulating their learning in order to oversee and adapt their behaviour and actions in certain learning settings. Studies have highlighted that learners who have good control of self-regulation in their learning, either formal or informal learning contexts, utilise more competent learning strategies in online learning context. Nevertheless, MOOCs attract a diverse range of learners, each with different experience and satisfaction. The aim of this study is to examine the role of self-regulated learning (SRL) and its components (time management, planning, self-evaluation, and help-seeking) on learners’ satisfaction in MOOC. Data were collected from 281 learners of a Malaysia MOOC namely Asas Keusahawanan (Introduction to Entrepreneurship), in the second semester of the Malaysian universities academic calendar. A cross-sectional web-based survey was applied and a Partial Least Square (PLS) approach was use for analysing data. Findings indicated that all of SRL components except help-seeking are important factors for explaining learners’ satisfaction in a MOOC. This study provides useful suggestions for the course designers of MOOCs platforms, and the facilitators in engaging learners with suitable SRL strategies and increase the level of course satisfaction.

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The relations between motivational constructs, effort, self-efficacy and worry, and statistics achievement were investigated in a sample of 360 undergraduates in Malaysia. Both trait (cross-situational) and state (task-specific) measures of each construct were used to test a mediational trait → state → performance (TSP) model. As hypothesized, all three traits were found to be empirically distinguishable from their state counterparts in a confirmatory factor analysis. In a structural equation model, each trait also had a direct effect on its corresponding state as hypothesized. Most importantly, state worry and state effort had significant direct effects on statistics achievement in the predicted direction. Gender and ethnic (Malay vs. Chinese) differences and other predictions related to social cognitive theories of motivation also were analyzed and are discussed. Overall, results provide strong evidence for the utility of the state-trait distinction as applied to motivational constructs and are consistent with findings from U.S. samples.

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to examine the associations between students' basic psychological needs satisfaction, including novelty satisfaction, and the four aspects of student engagement.Design/methodology/approachData were collected from a total sample of 743 undergraduate students from three public universities in northern Malaysia. Structural equation modelling (SEM) was used to analyse the data.FindingsCompetence and relatedness were positively related to the four aspects of student engagement, while autonomy satisfaction was found to relate to agentic engagement. Novelty satisfaction, on the other hand, is related positively with behavioural, emotional and cognitive engagement.Research limitations/implicationsThe results provide a new understanding on the importance of novelty satisfaction alongside existing needs in self-determination theory (SDT) in enhancing student engagement.Practical implicationsEducators are encouraged to develop strategies to provide novelty support and facilitate students' basic needs satisfaction in order to establish a motivational learning environment that vitalises students' engagement.Originality/valueThis study breaks new ground by testing the unique relationships of novelty satisfaction along with the psychological needs for autonomy, competence and relatedness, with the four aspects of student engagement in higher education.