Determining Factors in MOOCs Completion Rates: Lessons from Energy Sustainability Education

What is this article about?

This article explains which factors influence student engagement and completion of Massive Open Online Courses (MOOCs), particularly in the field of energy sustainability. Romero-Rodríguez, Ramírez-Montoya, and Aguaded analyze data from over 123,000 participants across 12 MOOCs hosted on edX and MexicoX, identifying the most relevant personal, social, labor, and instructional design variables.

Why is it important?

MOOCs are globally accessible but suffer from low completion rates (typically 5–8%). This study—based on a sample with a higher-than-average 13.7% completion rate—offers insights that can inform better course design, tailor content to learner needs, and improve digital training programs for sustainability and technical education.

Key Findings

1. Professional development is the top motivation

• 99.7% agreed they enrolled to improve professional or academic standing

• Especially true among engineering and technical graduates

2. Instructional design matters—especially for younger learners

• xMOOCs’ rigid structure reduces engagement

• Younger participants demand gamification, interactivity, and custom learning paths

3. Completion is influenced by personal and labor factors

• Most cited reasons: personal goals and career relevance

• Social and family factors had minimal impact

4. Engagement varies by occupation and education

• Technical professionals are the most committed and satisfied

• Unemployed and retired individuals reported lower engagement

Methodology

• 12 MOOCs on energy sustainability

• 123,124 participants; 13.7% completion rate

• Validated pre- and post-tests (n = 8737)

• Analysis of five factors: personal, family, social, instructional design, labor

Practical Implications

• MOOC designers should move beyond traditional video-quiz models

• Include interactive content, real-life simulations, and adaptive design

• Policymakers and universities should consider motivation and engagement profiles when funding or implementing MOOCs

FAQs

Q: What factor most influences MOOC completion?
A: Professional development was the top motivator, especially among technical and engineering professionals.

Q: What’s wrong with traditional xMOOC designs?
A: They lack interactivity and personalization, leading to low engagement among younger learners.

Q: Do social or family pressures affect completion?
A: Not significantly. The study found personal and occupational goals were much stronger drivers.

Q: Can MOOCs be improved?
A: Yes. Incorporating gamified elements, better design, and data-driven personalization can boost retention.