Abstract:

MOOCs are Open for all to join. Therefore, anyone can come and join the course at any time during its duration. They are Online, hence, anyone with an internet connection can participate in it from anywhere in the world. They are offered by some of the leading institutions of the world as a result Masses are attracted to it. All this provides MOOCs the ability to cross borders and connect people who could not have imagined sitting in a classroom together simply because of vast geographical distances. Forums on MOOCs provide a venue for participants from all across the globe to converse and learn from each other. This, peer-to-peer learning, creates an intricate web of knowledge among learners and forms a sense of community. Obvious social benefits such as friendships are the dividends of such interaction. Hence, people who interact on the forums may stay on longer than they would normally in an open online course. This paper studies the effect of forum participation on MOOCs completion rates. It analyses data from MOOCs on FutureLearn and attempts to identify a causal relationship between MOOC joiners who participate in forums and joiners who end up completing the course. Findings of this study proposes suggestions to MOOC providers on how better to utilise forums to derive enhanced engagement from participants.