Student Engagement in Aviation Moocs: Identifying Subgroups and Their Differences

The purpose of this study was to expand the current understanding of learner engagement in aviation-related Massive Open Online Courses (MOOCs) through cluster analysis. MOOCs, regarded for their low- or no-cost educational content, often attract thousands of students who are free to engage with the provided content to the extent of their choosing. As online training for pilots, flight attendants, mechanics, and small unmanned aerial system operators continues to expand, understanding how learners engage in optional aviation-focused, online course material may help inform course design and instruction in the aviation industry. In this study, Moore’s theory of transactional distance, which posits psychological or communicative distance can impede learning and success, was used as a descriptive framework for analysis. Archived learning analytics datasets from two 2018 iterations of the same small unmanned aerial systems MOOC were cluster-analyzed (N = 1,032 and N = 4,037). The enrolled students included individuals worldwide; some were affiliated with the host institution, but most were not. The data sets were cluster analyzed separately to categorize participants into common subpopulations based on discussion post pages viewed and posts written, video pages viewed, and quiz grades. Subgroup differences were examined in days of activity and record of completion. Pre- and postcourse survey data provided additional variables for analysis of subgroup differences in demographics (age, geographic location, education level, employment in the aviation industry) and learning goals. Analysis of engagement variables revealed three significantly different subgroups for each MOOC. Engagement patterns were similar between MOOCs for the most and least engaged groups, but differences were noted in the middle groups; MOOC 1’s middle group had a broader interest in optional content (both in discussions and videos); whereas MOOC 2’s middle group had a narrower interest in optional discussions. Mandatory items (Mandatory Discussion or Quizzes) were the best predictors in classifying subgroups for both MOOCs. Significant associations were found between subgroups and education levels, days of activity, and total quiz scores. This study addressed two known problems: a lack of information on student engagement in aviation-related MOOCs, and more broadly, a growing imperative to examine learners who utilize MOOCs but do not complete them. This study served as an important first step for course developers and instructors who aim to meet the diverse needs of the aviation-education community

Sissejuhatava programmeerimise MOOCi õppijad: taustamuutujad, kaasatuse mustrid ja õpisooritus

Väitekirja elektrooniline versioon ei sisalda publikatsiooneÜks võimalus personaalseks ja professionaalseks arenguks on osalemine vaba juurdepääsuga e-kursustel (ingl massive open online courses, MOOCs). MOOCide osalejatel on suurem autonoomia võrreldes traditsiooniliste klassiruumides toimuvate tundidega. Samuti arvestades suurt osalejate hulka ja nende erinevat tausta, on kõikide õppijate kaasatus (ingl engagement) õppeprotsessis MOOCide korraldajatele väljakutseks. Osalejate taustamuutujate (ingl background variables) mõju kaasatusele, mis omakorda võib mõjutada õpisooritust (ingl performance), on jätkuvalt alauuritud valdkond. Doktoritöö eesmärk oli uurida MOOCide osalejate taustamuutujaid ja nende mõju kursusele registreerumisele ning lõpetamise tõenäosusele, tuvastada lõpetajate seas käitumuslikke (ingl behavioural engagement) ja kognitiivseid (ingl cognitive engagement) kaasatuse rühmasid ning uurida neid taustamuutujate ja õpisoorituse osas. Uurimuse fookuses oli MOOC “Programmeerimisest maalähedaselt”. Selle MOOCi osalejate ja lõpetajate taustamuutujad võrreldi MOOCidega „Programmeerimise alused I“ ja „Programmeerimise alused II“. MOOCil “Programmeerimisest maalähedaselt” oli rohkem naisi ja neid, kelle haridustase oli madalam. Lõpetajate osas selgus, et põhifookuses olnud MOOCil, ei olnud statistiliselt olulist erinevust nais- ja meeslõpetajate osakaalu ning erinevate tööhõive staatuste vahel. Suurem lõpetajate osakaal oli magistrikraadiga lõpetajate hulgas. Väiksem lõpetajate osakaal oli nende õppijate puhul, kes ei ole varem programmeerimist õppinud. Samad tulemused lõpetajate kohta olid ka MOOCil “Programmeerimise alused I“. Uurides MOOCi “Programmeerimisest maalähedaselt” lõpetajate ja mittelõpetajate õpisooritust, selgus, et nad vajasid testi sooritamiseks keskmiselt sama palju katseid. Mittelõpetajatel oli programmeerimisülesannete lahenduste esitamiskordade arv suurem ja neil oli testipunktid madalamad. Lõpetajate käitumusliku ja kognitiivse kaasatuse analüüs näitas, et lõpetajad ei ole homogeenne rühm. Käitumusliku kaasatuse puhul eristati lähtudes tegevuste hulgast 4 rühma. Uurimuse tulemused näitasid, et MOOCil võivad olla lõpetajad, kes teevad kõiki tegevusi, aga ka need, kes teevad vaid mõnda tegevust. Kognitiivse kaasatuse korral eristus 5 rühma, mille puhul kasutati abiallikaid erineva sagedusega. Tulemused näitasid, et lõpetajate erinevat sagedust erinevate abiallikate kasutamisel võib pidada märgiks püsivast soovist MOOC edukalt läbida. Samuti selgus, et abiallikate kasutamise võib võtta aluseks kognitiivse kaasatuse tuvastamiseks ja mõõtmiseks MOOCidel. Lõpetajate taustamuutujad ja õpisooritused varieerusid eristatud rühmade vahel. Doktoritöös esitatud tulemused aitavad uurijatel paremini aru saada MOOCi fenomenist ja kursuste korraldajatel pakkuda tulevikus kulutõhusamaid MOOCe. Uurimistulemustest võib järeldada, et MOOCide korraldajad peavad pakkuma erinevaid tegevusi ja abiallikaid, mis oleksid suunatud konkreetsetele sihtrühmadele. See võib hõlbustada personaliseeritud õppimist ja õppijate tõhusat kaasatust õppeprotsessis.One opportunity to facilitate personal and professional development is to participate in massive open online courses (MOOCs). MOOCs participants have greater autonomy compared to traditional physical classes. In addition, considering the huge number of participants and diversity of their backgrounds, it is a challenge for MOOCs instructors to engage them all in learning. The impact of background variables on engagement, which in turn may influence performance, remains understudied. The doctoral thesis aimed to study MOOCs participants’ background variables and their impact on course enrolment and completion probability, and explore different behavioural and cognitive engagement clusters among completers in terms of background variables and performance. The thesis focused on a MOOC “About Programming”. The MOOC participants’ and completers’ background variables were examined in comparison to MOOCs “Introduction to Programming I” and “Introduction to Programming II”. Females and those with a lower education level dominated in the MOOC “About Programming”. In this course, among completers there was no difference by gender and employment statuses. Master’s degree holders were more likely to complete the MOOC, while inexperienced in programming were less likely to complete it. The same results about completers were found in the MOOC “Introduction to Programming I”. With regard to performance, no difference between the MOOC “About programming” completers and non-completers in the average number of attempts per quiz was found. But non-completers made on average more attempts per programming task and received lower scores per quiz. The analysis of behavioural and cognitive engagement solely among completers indicated that they cannot be considered a homogeneous group. In terms of behavioural engagement, there were identified 4 groups based on the amount of activities a completer engaged with during the MOOC. The study results indicated that in a MOOC there can be completers who engage with all activities, as well as those who engage with only a few activities. In terms of cognitive engagement, there were identified 5 groups that were engaged with help sources at different frequency. The results indicated that the different frequency, with which completers use different help sources, can be considered as a sign of persistent desire to successfully complete the MOOC. In addition, it was revealed that the use of help sources can be applied as a basis for identifying and measuring cognitive engagement in the MOOC context. The background variables and performance of completers from different identified groups varied. The results of the thesis can prove quite beneficial to the scientific literature to understand the phenomenon of MOOC. This comprehension in terms of a variety of background variables, engagement patterns and performance can be helpful for course instructors to develop cost-effective MOOCs and provide personalised learning where different course activities and help sources can be targeted at specific groups.  https://www.ester.ee/record=b552843

Mazetec: A Scenario-Based Learning Platform

This work presents Mazetec, a scenario-based learning platform for delivering non-linear scenarios format asynchronously. It enables subject matter experts to create interactive, state-dependent case studies or courses with branching logic for online learning and knowledge testing. Mazetec is a complex web application designed to deliver decision-based or case-based educational scenarios and simulations in a time-limited, non-linear format. There are many e-learning systems in the open source and commercial markets, but while these systems may have similar functions, we have found none that are both domain independent and able to deliver state-dependent content asynchronous and non-linearly. Mazetec can serve as a standalone training system or serve as a supplementary activity provider to an existing course in an organization\u27s existing learning management system (LMS)

LMS DESIGN INTERVENTIONS FORENHANCING THE INTENTION TO CONTINUE USE

Learners, according to the literature, believe that the use of a Learning Management System increases self-regulated behaviour, but even so, a significant number of them have no positive intention to use one. The goal of this thesis is to investigate this mismatch and to propose and test the use of Perceived Learning Self-regulation and Perceived Cognitive Absorption as predictors of the intention to use an LMS and to design and test interventions that improve the Continued Intention to Use an LMS that enhances Perceived Learning Self-Regulation and Perceived Cognitive Absorption. Three intervention tools were designed on a theoretical basis and then implemented: herd behaviour was the basis for Tracking Technology, goal setting was the basis for Visualised Competency, and social learning theory was the basis for Social Media. The intervention designs were based on data from interviews, focus group discussions and online collaboration with 10 teachers. They were implemented on a computer science module with 400 registered students. Two questionnaires were circulated to examine the effects of these interventions on the PLSR, PCA and CIU (151 students) and assess their opinions (149 students). All three interventions increased students' perceived cognitive absorption and perceived learning self-regulation and increased their continued intention to use a learning management system. Moreover, perceived cognitive absorption was found to be a critical antecedent to perceived learning self-regulation, which plays a mediating role between perceived cognitive absorption and their continued intention to use a learning management system. The survey analysis reported a positive perception overall among the students of the proposed interventions and the LMS with the given technology. Interaction analysis showed the continuous and consistent use of the intervention by the learners. The main contribution to knowledge here is a new framework for interventions that can improve students perceived cognitive absorption and thereby their continued intention to use an LMS. This research integrated the theories of experience flow, self-regulation, herd behaviour and goal setting to explain the potential effects of tracking technology, visualised competency, and social media on the perceived learning self-regulation and perceived cognitive absorption, which improved the continued intention to use a learning management system. According to the Information System Success Model, positive attitudes and the perception of benefits can be significant predictors of the intention to use a certain technology. Thus, Perceived Learning Self-Regulation and Perceived Cognitive Absorption were used to propose predictors of students’ continued intention to use a learning management system, instead of their perception of and attitude to possible benefits. For this reason, the present research aimed to develop a framework that introduced, evaluated, and examined the impact of interventions on improving learners perceived cognitive absorption and perceived learning self-regulation as well as affecting learners’ continued intention to use in LMS. To fulfil this aim, the main research question was, “How to improve students’ Continued Intention to Use (CIU) an LMS by improving their perceived learning self-regulation and perceived cognitive absorption?” The results suggest that all interventions had a significant effect on the perceived cognitive absorption, perceived learning self-regulation and continue intention to use the LMS. perceived cognitive absorption was found to be a critical antecedent to the perceived learning self-regulation, which plays the mediating role between perceived cognitive absorption and continue intention to use LMS. The survey analysis also reported overall positive perceptions among students of the use of these interventions and the LMS with the technology. By using interaction analysis, the intervention showed continuous and consistent use among learners. The main contribution to knowledge, as noted above, is a new framework to propose interventions that can improve the perceived cognitive absorption, and in turn, the continue intention to use can be improved. This research integrated experience flow, self-regulation, herd behaviour and goal-setting theories to explain the potential effects of the tracking tool, visualised competency, and social media on the perceived learning self-regulation and perceived cognitive absorption, which improved the learners continue intention to use learning management system

Online and Distance Education for a Connected World

Learning at a distance and learning online are growing in scale and importance in higher education, presenting opportunities for large scale, inclusive, flexible and engaging learning. These modes of learning swept the world in response to the Covid-19 pandemic. The many challenges of providing effective education online and remotely have been acknowledged, particularly by those who rapidly jumped into online and distance education during the crisis. This volume, edited by the University of London’s Centre for Online and Distance Education, addresses the practice and theory of online and distance education, building on knowledge and expertise developed in the University over some 150 years. The University is currently providing distance transnational education to around 50,000 students in more than 180 countries around the world. Throughout the book, contributors explore important principles and highlight successful practices in areas including course design and pedagogy, online assessment, open education, inclusive practice, and enabling student voice. Case studies illustrate prominent issues and approaches. Together, the chapters offer current and future leaders and practitioners a practical, productive, practice- and theory-informed account of the present and likely future state of online and distance higher education worldwide

Remote access laboratories for preparing STEM teachers: A mixed methods study

Bandura’s self-efficacy theory provided the conceptual framework for this mixed methods investigation of pre-service teachers’ (PSTs) self-efficacy to teach Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) subjects. The Science Teaching Efficacy Belief Instrument-B (STEBI-B) was modified to create the Technology Teaching Efficacy Belief Instrument (T-TEBI). Pre-test and post-test T-TEBI scores were measured to investigate changes in PSTs’ self-efficacy to teach technology. Interviews and reflections were used to explore the reasons for changes in pre-service teachers’ self-efficacy. This paper reports results from a pilot study using an innovative Remote Access Laboratory system with PSTs

The student-produced electronic portfolio in craft education

The authors studied primary school students’ experiences of using an electronic portfolio in their craft education over four years. A stimulated recall interview was applied to collect user experiences and qualitative content analysis to analyse the collected data. The results indicate that the electronic portfolio was experienced as a multipurpose tool to support learning. It makes the learning process visible and in that way helps focus on and improves the quality of learning. © ISLS.Peer reviewe

Integration of Reciprocal Teaching-ICT Model To Improve Students’Mathematics Critical Thinking Ability

This research examines the effectiveness on how mathematics teachers have begun to integrate information and communication technology (ICT) with reciprocal teaching model to improve students’ mathematics critical thinking ability into seventh junior high school classroom practice. This study was experimental research with a quasi-experimental design. The samples of the study are 36 students for classroom experiments and 36 students for classroom control. The instruments employed in this study were pre-test and post-test. All the instruments are made in essays forms. The data were analyzed by using descriptive statistics. Based on the research findings, it was gotten that (1) the development of teaching instructional multimedia of the seven grade students of junior high school; (2) the improvement of students’ mathematics critical thinking ability in experimental class; (3) the aspect of attractiveness shows that the developed instructional multimedia was very interesting; and (4) reciprocal learning has good impact on students’ mathematics critical thinking ability

The Dialogic Nature Of Online Discourse: A Corpus Analysis Of Online Discussions

This thesis reports on an analysis of an 11-million-word corpus of online discussions in a public educational site to understand the dialogic nature of online discourse. Two observations raise concerns that information exchange, socialization and online deliberation might be compromised in online spaces. Firstly, while anyone is free to express themselves online, they may not receive replies from others nor engage in sustained conversations with others. Secondly, afforded by the hyperlinking function, anyone can also easily share sources of information online by posting URLs, contributing to the circulation of (mis)information. This thesis thus explores how internet users can engage in meaningful dialogue with each other in online spaces through particular discourse and URL-posting practices. A corpus linguistic approach comprising keyword analysis and micro-analysis is adopted to investigate how conversations are initiated and unfold within threads. Three keyword analyses are reported: (1) initiating posts, i.e., posts that receive replies; (2) independent posts, i.e., posts that do not receive any replies; and (3) the replies themselves. Based on these keyword analyses and informed by the theoretical concepts of dialogic space and intersubjectivity, linguistic features and discourse practices characterizing the two types of posts and replies are identified and explored. Similarly, URL-posting practices are also investigated to explore their role in online discourse. Findings show that users draw on different discourse practices to invite replies and sustain conversations with others, although there are times users respond to the content on the site instead of addressing others. Importantly, discourse practices that do not entertain others’ voices are found to deter others from responding or hinder their conversations, especially in the case of disagreement. In fact, disagreement provides an opportunity for users to explore different voices and achieve mutual understanding when discourse practices facilitative of intersubjectivity are utilized. Finally, although most users are positive towards URL-posting, the posting of URLs is seen to either facilitate or hamper their conversations, depending on users’ posting and discourse practices. Overall, this thesis highlights the role of various discourse practices in creating a dialogic space. A dialogic space allows multiple voices to be entertained in processes of intersubjectivity, such that users can engage with each other’s subjectivities, whether they agree or disagree. Together, these findings highlight users’ agency as enacted through language in online spaces and show that the discursive construction of online dialogic space should be one aspect of digital literacies of which internet users be made aware