Predicting success: How learners' prior knowledge, skills and activities predict MOOC performance

Gregor Kennedy, Paula De Barba, Carleton Coffrin, Linda Corrin

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceedingConference contributionpeer-review

90 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

While MOOCs have taken the world by storm, questions remain about their pedagogical value and high rates of attrition. In this paper we argue that MOOCs which have open entry and open curriculum structures, place pressure on learners to not only have the requisite knowledge and skills to complete the course, but also the skills to traverse the course in adaptive ways that lead to success. The empirical study presented in the paper investigated the degree to which students' prior knowledge and skills, and their engagement with the MOOC as measured through learning analytics, predict end-of-MOOC performance. The findings indicate that prior knowledge is the most significant predictor of MOOC success followed by students' ability to revise and revisit their previous work.

Original languageEnglish
Title of host publicationProceedings of the 5th International Conference on Learning Analytics and Knowledge, LAK 2015
PublisherAssociation for Computing Machinery
Pages136-140
Number of pages5
ISBN (Electronic)9781450334174
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 16 Mar 2015
Externally publishedYes
Event5th International Conference on Learning Analytics and Knowledge, LAK 2015 - Poughkeepsie, United States
Duration: 16 Mar 201520 Mar 2015

Publication series

NameACM International Conference Proceeding Series
Volume16-20-March-2015

Conference

Conference5th International Conference on Learning Analytics and Knowledge, LAK 2015
Country/TerritoryUnited States
CityPoughkeepsie
Period16/03/1520/03/15

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