MOOC学习者课程学习行为分析——以“电路原理”课程为例

Analysis of Learning Behaviors in MOOCs A Case Study of the Course " Principles of Electric Circuits"

以往研究发现,大量MOOC学习者中途退出,课程完成率非常低,这个现象一直困扰着MOOC授课教师和MOOC平台所有者,低课程完成率不是期望的目标,也不利于MOOC的持续发展,许多授课教师和研究者试图改变这种状况,这个现象也因此成为学者们关注的焦点。为了分析在此背景下哪些因素对学习者的课程参与和课程完成产生影响,并基于分析结果给出建议,本研究以"学堂在线"(xuetang X)平台的"电路原理一"课程数据为基础,使用Tobit和Logit两个定量分析模型,分别对MOOC学习者的课程参与和完成情况进行深入分析。研究发现:学习者的课程学习动机越强,学习者在课程讨论区和Wiki表现越活跃,即课程参与度越高,同时更有可能学完课程;课程注册时间越早,学习者越容易完成课程学习,也会较多地参与课程讨论;相对于非高校学习者,高校的学习者在讨论区中表现更活跃;个体课程参与度对其他学习者具有明显的正向影响。这些发现对于MOOC的持续发展具有一定指导意义。

Many researches indicate the rate of completion of MOOCs（ Massive Open Online Courses） is typically low. A large number of MOOC learners drop out during the learning process,which has challenged many MOOC courses instructors and administrators. Since the low rates of course completion are undesired and it will restrict the sustainable development of MOOC,administrators,researchers,and instructors are all trying to change the situation.Within such as a context,we decided to analyze factors whichimpact learners ＇ course participation and course completion,and intended to provide advice to increase the course completion rates based on these findings. We use the data of the course ＂ Principles of Electric Circuits＂ instructed by Xinjie Yu on the xuetang X platform to analyze course participation and course completion situation in- depth. We found that learners with stronger learning motivation have higher course participation. That is,if students are active in the forum and the wiki of the course,more likely they tend to complete the course. Learners who registered in the course during the earlier stage are more likely to complete the course and to participate in the course. Learners who are in colleges and universities are more active than those who are not in colleges and universities in the forum of the course. Additionally,we also found that a learner＇s course participation will have some significantly positive effects on his / her peers,which is worth further attention. The findings from this research study may have some significance for the sustainable development of MOOCs