Learner motivation
Central to any conversation about the seismic focus shift to online learning practices, both from a teaching and learning perspective, must be how these changes affect learner motivation.
Any number of excellent papers on learner motivation in language learning have explored a myriad of factors and subsets that make up this remarkably complex area of research. As a provider of content for online use striving to ensure valuable and purposeful learning opportunities, we are routinely faced with a challenging question: how to meet the needs of learners in a virtual world in order to maintain high (or satisfactory) levels of motivation?
One of the most encouraging signs from our recent venture on the FutureLearn platform has been user satisfaction rates in the high-90s. With a user base covering 174 countries, and an evenly distributed age demographic of 18- to 55-year-old learners, the reach has been phenomenal.
This information allows us to be confident that our premise of original drama series being globally popular, and therefore a perfect vehicle for language learning, has strong, demonstrable merit. It also reinforces the importance of a feedback loop wherein providers can adjust their offerings based on the success (or lack of) of current courses.
Data and how we use it to constantly improve the learner experience is a vital element in assisting with motivation. Taking it a step further, we have been using the following question model in creating new content to maintain learner motivation in an online, self-study environment:
What outcomes do we expect learners to meet by the end of the course? (broad)
What signposts / checks will be implemented along the way to show progress? (narrower)
What task types will be used to balance consistency with variety? (specific)
Mapping out and brainstorming answers to these broad and specific questions happens in conjunction with the production of our dramatic content. It provides a learning framework that encourages enjoyment – watching quality drama – and language learning with purpose.
With a new FutureLearn course on schedule to be released in October, we are excited to track how learners respond to the journey, and review if our earlier findings and content build methodology have provided a motivating experience.