Come hear my talk at the annual meeting of the American Educational Research Association (AERA) in San Diego, California.
A Rich Landscape for Learning: Scaffolding a Culminating Assignment Within a Community and Task-Based MOOC
Friday, April 22, 8:00 to 9:30am PDT (11:00am to 12:30pm EDT), Manchester Grand Hyatt, Floor: 2nd Level - Harbor Tower, Harbor Ballroom F
Abstract: We aim to understand the impact of a scaffolded tool to support learners in the creation of a final project within a community and task-based MOOC. Optional reflection and articulation prompts were embedded in a digital workbook to support assignment development. Workbook use was prevalent, with 65% of learners using it. Our qualitative analysis revealed that assignment responses associated with substantial workbook use were: A) informally written and loosely connected to assignment objectives (36%) or B) well-articulated and connected to assignment objectives (29%). Responses associated with little to no workbook use were: C) superficial or uncontextualized (29%), or D) consistent with type “B” responses (6%). We discuss implications for instructors and learning designers in scaffolding complex projects in MOOCs.