Applying a Digital Learning Ecosystem to Increase the Effectiveness of a Massive Open Online Course

The aim of this work is to present an innovative framework to enhanced learner engagement and motivation on massive open online learning environments. The paper explores on the impact of applying Educational Data Mining in combination with Learning Analytics techniques, through a framework called Digital Learning Ecosystem (DLE) to provide students a complete and different learning experience along the course. This work presents in detail the design and applying of a DLE with different strategies to help students overcome the learning process difficulties that arise in a massive, open, and online course. The proposed framework is based on the importance of creating engaging experiences before, during and after a course completion to increase learners' participation and reduce dropout rates. This study analyzed data obtained from edX course “Java Fundamentals for Android Development” developed by a group of Professors of the Faculty of Computer Engineering, and the Department of Research and Development (GES) of Galileo University. The data set consisted of a post-course survey, participants demographic, solution activities submission, and final grades. The results obtained are analyzed in terms of student perceived usefulness, motivation, student's usage of tools and students' attitude towards DLE, degree of satisfaction, and engagement.