One of the main problems of Massive Open Online Courses (MOOCs) is the low retention rate of students and a high no-show rate. Meanwhile gamification has been gaining notoriety in the last decade within the education field. This systematic literature review explores the impact gamification has had in MOOCs, how their success is being measured,…

Self-directed learning (SDL) is necessary for successful learning in MOOCs. Motivation is one of the critical elements of SDL. This mixed-method study examined the design and delivery of MOOCs to motivate learners for SDL. The data collection methods included semi-structured interviews with 22 MOOC instructors, a document review of 22 MOOCs, and…

Creating an online learning environment that engages learners beyond the given course period is challenging. Open, participant-driven discussion forums, where participants are provided with greater agency on what to learn, how to learn, and whom to learn with, have a unique potential to help learners engage in learning experiences based on their…

Studies have shown that learners' motivation is a significant predictor of the level of engagement in a MOOC. However, the role of motivation in a MOOC's completion remains questionable. In our study, we estimated the role of motivation in a MOOC's completion, controlling for the characteristics of participants and their level of engagement with…