A case study on narrative structures in instructional MOOC designs

Purpose - The purpose of this paper is to share the lessons learned in implementing specific design patterns within the “Dr Internet” massive open online course (MOOC). Design/methodology/approach - MOOCs are boasting considerable participant numbers, but also suffer from declining participant activ...

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Main Authors: Elke Höfler, Claudia Zimmerman, Martin Ebner
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Emerald Publishing 2017-03-01
Series:Journal of Research in Innovative Teaching & Learning
Subjects:
Online Access:https://www.emeraldinsight.com/doi/pdfplus/10.1108/JRIT-09-2016-0005
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author Elke Höfler
Claudia Zimmerman
Martin Ebner
author_facet Elke Höfler
Claudia Zimmerman
Martin Ebner
author_sort Elke Höfler
collection DOAJ
description Purpose - The purpose of this paper is to share the lessons learned in implementing specific design patterns within the “Dr Internet” massive open online course (MOOC). Design/methodology/approach - MOOCs are boasting considerable participant numbers, but also suffer from declining participant activity and low completion rates. Learning analytics results from earlier xMOOCs indicate that this might be alleviated by certain instructional design patterns – critical aspects include shorter course duration, narrative structures with suspense peaks, and a course schedule that is diversified and stimulating. To evaluate their impact on retention, the authors have tried to implement these patterns in the design of the “Dr Internet” MOOC. Findings - Statistical results from the first run of the case study MOOC do not indicate any strong influences of these design patterns on the retention rate. Research limitations/implications - With inconclusive statistical results from this case study, more research with higher participant numbers is needed to gain insight on the effectiveness of these design patterns in MOOCs. When interpreting retention outcomes, other influencing factors (course content, pacing, timing, etc.) need to be taken into account. Originality/value - This publication reports about a case study MOOC and gives practical hints for further research.
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spelling doaj.art-188dc514b4d04f2f82dc42d1117fefd12022-12-22T04:28:16ZengEmerald PublishingJournal of Research in Innovative Teaching & Learning2397-76042017-03-01101486210.1108/JRIT-09-2016-0005590555A case study on narrative structures in instructional MOOC designsElke Höfler0Claudia Zimmerman1Martin Ebner2University of Graz, Graz, AustriaUniversity of Graz, Graz, AustriaDepartment of Educational Technology, Graz University of Technology, Graz, AustriaPurpose - The purpose of this paper is to share the lessons learned in implementing specific design patterns within the “Dr Internet” massive open online course (MOOC). Design/methodology/approach - MOOCs are boasting considerable participant numbers, but also suffer from declining participant activity and low completion rates. Learning analytics results from earlier xMOOCs indicate that this might be alleviated by certain instructional design patterns – critical aspects include shorter course duration, narrative structures with suspense peaks, and a course schedule that is diversified and stimulating. To evaluate their impact on retention, the authors have tried to implement these patterns in the design of the “Dr Internet” MOOC. Findings - Statistical results from the first run of the case study MOOC do not indicate any strong influences of these design patterns on the retention rate. Research limitations/implications - With inconclusive statistical results from this case study, more research with higher participant numbers is needed to gain insight on the effectiveness of these design patterns in MOOCs. When interpreting retention outcomes, other influencing factors (course content, pacing, timing, etc.) need to be taken into account. Originality/value - This publication reports about a case study MOOC and gives practical hints for further research.https://www.emeraldinsight.com/doi/pdfplus/10.1108/JRIT-09-2016-0005MOOCCase studyInstructional designDr InternetNarrative structures
spellingShingle Elke Höfler
Claudia Zimmerman
Martin Ebner
A case study on narrative structures in instructional MOOC designs
Journal of Research in Innovative Teaching & Learning
MOOC
Case study
Instructional design
Dr Internet
Narrative structures
title A case study on narrative structures in instructional MOOC designs
title_full A case study on narrative structures in instructional MOOC designs
title_fullStr A case study on narrative structures in instructional MOOC designs
title_full_unstemmed A case study on narrative structures in instructional MOOC designs
title_short A case study on narrative structures in instructional MOOC designs
title_sort case study on narrative structures in instructional mooc designs
topic MOOC
Case study
Instructional design
Dr Internet
Narrative structures
url https://www.emeraldinsight.com/doi/pdfplus/10.1108/JRIT-09-2016-0005
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