In-depth exploration of engagement patterns in MOOCs.

With the advent of ‘big data’, various new methods have been proposed, to explore data in several domains. In the domain of learning (and e-learning, in particular), the outcomes lag somewhat behind. This is not unexpected, as e-learning has the additional dimensions of learning and engagement, as well as other psychological aspects, to name but a few, beyond ‘simple’ data crunching. This means that the goals of data exploration for e-learning are somewhat different to the goals for practically all other domains: finding out what students do is not enough, it is the means to the end of supporting student learning and increasing their engagement. This paper focuses specifically on student engagement, a crucial issue especially for MOOCs, by studying in much greater detail than previous work, the engagement of students based on clustering students according to three fundamental (and, arguably, comprehensive) dimensions: learning, social and assessment. The study’s value lies also in the fact that it is among the few studies using real-world longitudinal data (6 runs of a course, over 3 years) from a large number of students

Reward-Based Crowdfunding Research and Practice

publishedVersio

Democratising Entrepreneurial Finance: The Impact of Crowdfunding and Initial Coin Offerings (ICOs)

Our article sheds light on two recent phenomena in the area of entrepreneurial financing, namely, crowdfunding and Initial Coin Offerings (ICOs). We investigate the main characteristics of the two alternative forms of entrepreneurial financing, their differences and coherences, reasons leading to their occurrence, their market relevance and legal aspects. Furthermore, we provide both an overview of the different motivations backers of the two phenomena have to support campaigns as well as the success factors for the campaigns. Due to their newness, both types are not devoid of risks and limitations which are also discussed. We state that crowdfunding and ICOs have many aspects in common and that a combination of both concepts may be optimal in their future development to overcome the current inefficiencies of crowdfunding or the shortcomings of ICOs. In summary, entrepreneurial financing is positively influenced by the two phenomena leading to a democratisation of financial possibilities for both entrepreneurs and backers

Reward-Based Crowdfunding Research and Practice

publishedVersio