2-6-Insights into Parental Learning: Evaluating a MOOC Utilizing Course Analytics and Forum Content Analysis
INSIGHTS INTO PARENTAL LEARNING: EVALUATING A MOOC UTILIZING COURSE ANALYTICS AND FORUM CONTENT ANALYSIS
Kinga Gyöngy*
Institutional Affiliation: ELTE – Eötvös Loránd University, Faculty of Primary and Pre-School Education, Hungary
*Correspondence: gyongy.kinga@tok.elte.hu
Abstract
This study is based on a pilot run of a Massive Open Online Course (MOOC) developed specifically for parents with young children. The study analyzes participant activity and course analytics through various research questions focused on engagement metrics, course completion predictors, participant behavior patterns, the influence of demographic variables and personal motivations. Time spent in the course positively correlates with final scores. Background variables (like child’s age group or participants’ educational level) did not predict course completion. The categorization of participants into distinct engagement patterns — Disengaging Students, Active Participants, Speeders, and Partial Completers — provides insights into varying levels of commitment. Content analysis of forum discussions highlighted motivations for participation but showed no associations between motivation type and completion for example anxiety about parenting and course success. Overall, this study underscores the complexity of parental learning in an online environment. Based on these initial findings, future course designs could more effectively address learner motivations by integrating targeted questionnaires to capture participants’ underlying goals and concerns.
Keywords: MOOC, parent education, learning analytics, forum content analysis, course evaluation