Initial trends in enrolment and completion of massive open online courses

Abstract

The past two years have seen rapid development of massive open online courses (MOOCs) with the rise of a number of MOOC platforms. The scale of enrolment and participation in the earliest mainstream MOOC courses has garnered a good deal of media attention. However, data about how the enrolment and completion figures have changed since the early courses is not consistently released. This paper seeks to draw together the data that has found its way into the public domain in order to explore factors affecting enrolment and completion. The average MOOC course is found to enroll around 43,000 students, 6.5% of whom complete the course. Enrolment numbers are decreasing over time and are positively correlated with course length. Completion rates are consistent across time, university rank, and total enrolment, but negatively correlated with course length. This study provides a more detailed view of trends in enrolment and completion than was available previously, and a more accurate view of how the MOOC field is developing.

Refining success and dropout in massive open online courses based on the intention–behavior gap

“…Hundreds of thousands of learners and even more enrolled in MOOCs (Jordan, 2014). However, after a short time, this first excitement was followed by frustration.…”

“…However, after a short time, this first excitement was followed by frustration. Despite its popularity, the number of MOOC-takers who actually completed a MOOC after enrollment was reported to be very low with dropout rates between 98 and 90% (Jordan, 2014(Jordan, , 2015Koller, Ng, Do, & Chen, 2013;Liyanagunawardena, Parslow, & Williams, 2014;Reich, 2014). Many researchers agreed that the learning circumstances in MOOCs are exceptional (Huin, Bergheaud, Caron, Codina, & Disson, 2016;Koller et al, 2013;Liyanagunawardena et al, 2014).…”

Measuring Learners’ Motivation Level in Massive Open Online Courses

“…Currently, the retention rate of MOOCs is quite low. It is reported that the average Massive open online courses (MOOCs) completion rate is below 7% [5]. Breslow et al [6] stated that 154,763 students enrolled for their 6.002x Circuits and Electronics course, but merely around 5% of them completed the course and earned a certificate.…”

A Study on Learners’ Needs to Increase MOOC Participation

“…It also has positive effect on learners" educational self-efficiency and their learning achievement, it provides wide insight to plan whole process of learning [10] [12]. Cognition factor is related to learners; using to various strategies to perform their learning assignment [13], and affective factor is connected to mental process composed of concentration, interest, investment and effort.…”

“…Followings <Table 1> are hypothetical constructs per the fundamental definitions. [4], [8], [15], [19] Emphasizing learning environment focused on interaction away from traditional online education a method of MOOC planning and realizing learning environment [6], [8], [14], [16], [19] Changing and Evolving Education System focused on learners factors needed for learning continuity [2], [3], [6], [8], [11], [14] A role of destructive innovation for existing education system a role of MOOC improving existing education system [7], [18], [19] Providing high quality courses to anyone in the dimension of lifelong education a direction of practice in the national and personal dimension [2], [8], [10], [12], [19] 3. Method…”