Modelling tacit knowledge transfer in MOOCs: Simulations on the transfer process

Abstract

Massive Open Online Courses (MOOCs) are massive large-scale open online resources provided by famous universities or organisations by which anybody can take the courses anywhere through internet connection for free. The implementation of MOOCs in universities shows a new form of learning. Considering that tacit knowledge plays a very important role in learning, this paper discusses the tacit knowledge transfer process in MOOCs. A useful system dynamics model to analyse which factors impact the tacit knowledge transfer effect is proposed in this research. A simulation method is used to illustrate the relation between transfer effect and these factors through sensitivity analysis. The results show that transfer effect increases with the circulation of the platform and technology advances of MOOCs, but the rate of growth has changed from high to low. The research mainly aims to guide the design and operation of MOOCs and other e-learning platforms.