Peeping in the minds of MOOCs instructors: using fuzzy approach to understand the motivational factors
ISSN: 1468-4527
Article publication date: 12 April 2022
Issue publication date: 18 January 2023
Abstract
Purpose
Massive open online courses (MOOCs) are among the most recent e-learning initiatives to gain widespread acceptance among universities. However, despite MOOCs' “much-documented” benefits, many questions are being raised late regarding the long-term sustainability of the open online teaching e-learning model. With high dropout rates in MOOCs courses, recent research has focused on the challenges limiting MOOCs’ growth. But most of the research is directed toward students’ perspectives, leaving the instructors’ perspective. One of the most important aspects of instructors’ perspective is the motivation for MOOCs' development and delivery.
Design/methodology/approach
The present study collected the data from 25 MOOC developers of Indian origin. To prioritize or rank the motivational factor behind developing a MOOC, a fuzzy-analytical hierarchical process (F-AHP) technique was applied to the data set. The primary motivational factors considered for the study were professional development, altruism, personal development, institutional development, intrigue, monetary benefits and peer influence.
Findings
The results showed that professional development and personal development are two prime motives that drive MOOCs development. Monetary benefits and peer influence were the least important factors among all the factors considered for the study.
Originality/value
Previous studies have identified and modeled the motivational factors that contribute toward developing MOOCs. However, there was little knowledge about the hierarchy among the motivating factors. The present study fills this gap by establishing the ranking of motivational factors responsible for MOOCs development.
Peer review
The peer review history for this article is available at: https://publons.com/publon/10.1108/OIR-04-2021-0205.
Keywords
Acknowledgements
Funding: The author(s) received no financial support for the research of this article.
Citation
Goel, P., Raj, S., Garg, A., Singh, S. and Gupta, S. (2023), "Peeping in the minds of MOOCs instructors: using fuzzy approach to understand the motivational factors", Online Information Review, Vol. 47 No. 1, pp. 20-40. https://doi.org/10.1108/OIR-04-2021-0205
Publisher
:Emerald Publishing Limited
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