Opinions On Online CoursesA Survey Of Learning Needs And Preferences

July 2013

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We surveyed friends and networks pre-disposed to online learning. No incentive provided to participate

212TOTAL SURVEY PARTICIPANTS

18-61AGE RANGE OF SURVEY PARTICIPANTS

95%HAVE HEARD OF AT LEAST ONE MAJOR ONLINE COURSE PROVIDER INCLUDED IN SURVEY

79% HAVE TRIED AT LEAST ONE ONLINE COURSE

73%HAVE ONE OR MORE

ADVANCED DEGREES

4.2AVERAGE NUMBER OF COURSES TAKEN BY PARTICIPANTS

1.7 AVERAGE NUMBER OF COURSES COMPLETED BY PARTICIPANTS

USA &INDIA

MAJORITY OF PARTICIPANTS FROM THESE TWO COUNTRIES

3

Awareness highest for MIT OpenCourseWare & Coursera. Trial rate highest for Coursera.

DefinitionsAwareness: Of all surveyed, how many have heard of platform?Trial %: Of all who have heard of platform, how many have tried a course on it?Approval rating: Of all who tried a platform, how many liked it & will use again?

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Curriculum, teaching method, reputation and price most important criteria for course selection

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General interest and career are primary motivators. Lack of time most common reason for dropping out.

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Those without advanced degrees more likely to take online courses for career growth

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60% willing to pay for online learning and prefer to learn fully online

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Propensity to learn online is greater among those with fewer existing degrees

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Willingness to pay for online learning also greater among those with fewer existing degrees

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Course discovery and lack of peer groups are primary challenges faced by online learners

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Learners find courses via web search, browsing well-known providers, and friends’ recommendations

How do you find online courses?

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We will update this analysis once we have a meaningfully larger sample!