Where is research on massive open online courses headed? A data analysis of the MOOC Research Initiative
Published | November 2014 |
Type of work | Special Issue: Research into Massive Open Online Courses |
Journal | The International Review of Research in Open and Distributed Learning Volume 15, Issue 5, Pages 134-176 |
Original Publication | The International Review of Research in Open and Distance Learning |
Editors | McGreal, Rory and Conrad, Dianne |
ABSTRACT
This paper reports on the results of an analysis of the research proposals submitted to the MOOC Research Initiative (MRI) funded by the Gates Foundation and administered by Athabasca University. The goal of MRI was to mobilize researchers to engage into critical interrogation of MOOCs. The submissions – 266 in Phase 1, out of which 78 was recommended for resubmission in the extended form in Phase 2, and finally, 28 funded – were analyzed by applying conventional and automated content analysis methods as well as citation network analysis methods. The results revealed the main research themes that could form a framework of the future MOOC research: i) student engagement and learning success, ii) MOOC design and curriculum, iii) self-regulated learning and social learning, iv) social network analysis and networked learning, and v) motivation, attitude and success criteria. The theme of social learning received the greatest interest and had the highest success in attracting funding. The submissions that planned on using learning analytics methods were more successful. The use of mixed methods was by far the most popular. Design-based research methods were also suggested commonly, but the questions about their applicability arose regarding the feasibility to perform multiple iterations in the MOOC context and rather a limited focus on technological support for interventions. The submissions were dominated by the researchers from the field of education (75% of the accepted proposals). Not only was this a possible cause of a complete lack of success of the educational technology innovation theme, but it could be a worrying sign of the fragmentation in the research community and the need to increased efforts towards enhancing interdisciplinarity.Keywords | content analysis · education research · · MOOC · MOOC research analysis · MOOC Research Initiative |
ISSN | 1492-3831 |
Other number | 5 |
Refereed | Yes |
Rights | by/4.0 |
URL | http://www.irrodl.org/index.php/irrodl/article/view/1954 |
Other information | IRRODL |
Export options | BibTex · EndNote · Tagged XML · Google Scholar |
AVAILABLE FILES
Viewed by 138 distinct readers
CLOUD COMMUNITY REVIEWS
The evaluations below represent the judgements of our readers and do not necessarily reflect the opinions of the Cloud editors.










Click a star to be the first to rate this document
▶ POST A COMMENT
SIMILAR RECORDS
MOOCs in Europe: Overview of papers representing a collective European response on MOOCs as presented during the HOME conference in Rome November 2015
Bang, Joergen; Dalsgaard, Christian; Kjaer, Arne; O’Donovan, Maria; et al.
Table of contents
Foreword
Part 1: Regional MOOC initiatives
Building OOC layers on top of existing courses
(M)OOCs in Iceland: Language and learning communities
EduOpen network in Italy
Part 2: Role media ...
Match: siemens, george; mooc
What public media reveals about MOOCs: A systematic analysis of news reports
Kovanović, Vitomir; Joksimović, Srećko; Gašević, Dragan; Siemens, George; Hatala, Marek
One of the striking differences between massive open online courses (MOOCs) and previous innovations in the education technology field is the unprecedented interest and involvement of the general public. As MOOCs ...
Match: siemens, george; analysis
Social network analysis of MOOC learners' knowledge building
Xu, Liujie; Wang, Fancong; Yu, Bo; Yu, Shengquan; et al.
With the development of information and communication technology, a variety of online platforms began to provide support for mobile learning. Some MOOC platforms provide terminal apps. Learners can use smart phones, ...
Match: analysis; mooc
The journey of SWAYAM: India MOOCs initiative
Kanjilal, Uma; Kaul, Pradeep
Under the ‘Digital India’ Initiative of Government of India, one of the thrust area is ‘Massive Online Open Courses (MOOCs)’. Ministry of Human Resource Development, Government of India has embarked on a major ...
Match: initiative; mooc
Output 10 SCORE2020: SWOT analysis / benchmarking regional support centres
SCORE2020
The SCORE2020 project focused on (regional) support structures in the development and delivery of Open Education and especially of MOOCs. In total, thirteen intellectual outputs are ...
Match: analysis
Mapping the open education landscape: Citation network analysis of historical open and distance education research
Weller, Martin; Jordan, Katy; DeVries, Irwin; Rolfe, Viv
The term open education has recently been used to refer to topics such as Open Educational Resources (OERs) and Massive Open Online Courses (MOOCs). Historically its roots lie in civil approaches to education and open ...
Match: analysis
Exploring co-studied Massive Open Online Course subjects via social network analysis
Jordan, Katy
Massive Open Online Courses (MOOCs) allow students to study online courses without requiring previous experience or qualifications. This offers students the freedom to study a wide variety of topics, freed from the ...
Match: ; analysis; mooc
Open Educational Resources: Innovation, research and practice
Burgos Aguilar, José Vladimir; Cox, Glenda; Czerniewicz, Laura; D'Antoni, Susan; et al.
Open Educational Resources (OER) – that is, teaching, learning and research materials that their owners make free to others to use, revise and share – offer a powerful means of expanding the reach and effectiveness ...
Match: siemens, george; mooc
The Impact of OER’s Continuous Improvement Cycles on Students’ Performance: A Longitudinal Analysis of the RISE Framework
Castellanos-Reyes, Daniela; Camargo Salamanca, Sandra Liliana; Wiley, David
Open educational resources (OER) have been praised for revolutionizing education. However, practitioners and instructors battle keeping OER updated and measuring their impact on students’ performance. Few studies have ...
Match: analysis
Evaluation of Student Feedback Within a MOOC Using Sentiment Analysis and Target Groups
Lundqvist, Karsten Ø.; Liyanagunawardena, Tharindu; Starkey, Louise
Many course designers trying to evaluate the experience of participants in a MOOC will find it difficult to track and analyse the online actions and interactions of students because there may be thousands of learners ...
Match: analysis; mooc