“How Satisfied Are You With Your MOOC?”—A Research Study About Interaction in Huge Online Courses

Abstract

This research work investigates the importance and satisfaction on the level of interaction in MOOCs as perceived by learners and instructors. The study is based on data from online students and instructors of MOOCs. Two web-based surveys were used to collect data. The basis of the two surveys is the five-step model for interactivity developed by Salmon (2001). Findings of the survey revealed that students rated the importance of interactions in MOOCs as highly important. However, they reported negatively the availability of many criteria suggested by Salmon. Instructors rated nearly half of Salmon criteria as less important and did not offer them in their MOOCs. In addition, the study revealed that students and instructors rated a high level of satisfaction in MOOCs. In contrast, some students expressed their less satisfaction of interaction because of that lack of instructor’s interaction. As result, some strategies were suggested to enhance instructor interaction.