QSIU HE Digest - The Typical MOOC student

The Typical MOOC student

Research Output Grows at 14.4% Annually

Handbag and College Degree

Bracing for ReorganizationsA recent study found that more men than women studied for MOOCs – with a male to female gender ratio of 64:36, while the majority of students (22%) lived in the United States. India accounted for the second biggest proportion of students, with just 6% of participants. The UK came third, making up 5% of candidates.Importantly, 70% of the enrolled students already held a degree, while more than a third (35%) were already enrolled with another education provider. The data suggests that a typical MOOC student is a well-educated man in his mid-30s, living and working full time in a developed or Bric (Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa) country, and using the course to improve their professional or personal knowledge. The developing economies are not getting a look in. \"Given that this profile runs counter to what might be expected. This audience should be a consideration in the development of future Moocs,\" the study concluded. The first demographic data released from by UK-based Mooc provider FutureLearn, published this month, reinforced these early findings. More than 80% had already secured a higher education qualification before registering. Despite more than 121,000 students signing up for the University of London's Coursera courses, fewer than 35 indicated they had taken one of the four Moocs when later applying for a place at the university\n

Full Story: The Guardian

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Full Story: The Week

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