Self-directed learning readiness of Language MOOC learners

Nikoletta Agonács, Joaõ Filipe Matos

Research output: Contribution to journalConference articlepeer-review

3 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

Having a deep comprehension of the learner population in any course environment has a significant impact on the effectiveness of the course and its design. In a MOOC environment, it has greater importance because the learner population is extremely diverse in terms of their background, knowledge, skills and experiences. Individual learning characteristics such as autonomous learning skills are important to be better understood in order to be able to create more effective designs. Most of the studies in MOOC environments focusing on autonomous learning characteristics embrace the concept of self-regulated learning. However, the concept of self-directed learning, which allows more autonomy for the learners, seems to fit the MOOC better. This study aims at understanding the readiness for self-directed learning of the learner community of an Italian language MOOC. We intended to examine how self-directed learning readiness relates to age, gender and educational background. Our preliminary results show that there is no significant correlation between gender or qualification and self-directed learning readiness; however, surprisingly, we did find a significant correlation between age and self-directed learning readiness. We concluded that the elder population tends to have higher selfdirected learning readiness. Our study means a significant contribution to the MOOC research field inasmuch it addresses the today highly debated question if learners are prepared enough to learn in a MOOC. This study is part of larger research project which final objective is to characterise language MOOC learners based on the pedagogy-andragogy-heutagogy continuum.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)1-7
Number of pages7
JournalCEUR Workshop Proceedings
Volume2356
Publication statusPublished - 2019
Externally publishedYes
Event2019 Work in Progress Papers of the Research, Experience and Business Tracks at EMOOCs, EMOOCs-WIP 2019 - Naples, Italy
Duration: 20 May 201922 May 2019

Bibliographical note

Publisher Copyright:
© 2019 CEUR-WS. All rights reserved.

Keywords

  • Heutagogy
  • Learner Population
  • Self-Directed Learning Readiness Scale (SDLRS)

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics of 'Self-directed learning readiness of Language MOOC learners'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

Cite this