A Case Study of the Characteristics of MOOCs Completers: Taking an Online Professional Training MOOC for Example

Abstract

MOOCs are developing rapidly with low completion rates which is questioned widely. But with its massive participation, there still are many MOOCs completers, who are what the course designers and investors want to attract and develop. What are the differences between the learners who complete the MOOCs and those who do not? How was the professional training MOOC designed to improve the completion rate? With these two questions, the researchers chose a professional training MOOC as a study case. All learners' behavior data in the learning platform was collected. Two completers and three learners who dropped out during learning were interviewed. This research found that practitioners with the purpose of self-improvement have a greater possibility to complete the course. The completers have more previous learning experience and meet little difficulties during the learning process. Learners prefer to learn as a sequence of the course order and attach great importance to support service, especially the support service provided by instructor or other authoritative scholar.