MOOC Research Underscores Importance of Engaged Participation (True Inside the Classroom Too, BTW)

By Cathy Davidson. Steve Kolowich reports this morning on a new study of MOOC participation in Forums that suggests about 90% don't participate except by lurking---but those who do, and even better, those who actually engage in face to face conversations about the content of their MOOC courses, do much better on the tests than those who do not: http://chronicle.com/blogs/wiredcampus/mooc-students-who-got-offline-help-scored-higher-study-finds/44111. This is great news for all of us who believe in connected learning, where participation is important. It reminds everyone that participation is not "natural" or "easy" (even face to face) but that it matters. Read more...