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Effects of Accountability Interventions on Environmental Educators' Engagement in MOOCs

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Title: Effects of Accountability Interventions on Environmental Educators' Engagement in MOOCs
Language: English
Authors: Yue Li, René F. Kizilcec, Ji Yong Cho, Marianne E. Krasny
Source: Online Learning. 2025 29(4):25-51.
Availability: Online Learning Consortium, Inc. P.O. Box 1238, Newburyport, MA 01950. Tel: 888-898-6209; Fax: 888-898-6209; e-mail: olj@onlinelearning-c.org; Web site: https://olj.onlinelearningconsortium.org/index.php/olj/index
Peer Reviewed: Y
Page Count: 27
Publication Date: 2025
Document Type: Journal Articles
Reports - Research
Descriptors: MOOCs, Environmental Education, Learner Engagement, Intervention, Accountability, Educational Practices, Cultural Context, Cultural Influences, Foreign Countries, Educational Strategies, Interpersonal Communication, Self Actualization
Geographic Terms: China, United States
ISSN: 2472-5749
2472-5730
Abstract: Many participants in online courses struggle to remain engaged and complete the course, often due to a lack of perceived accountability. This study experimentally tested the effects of accountability interventions designed to encourage learners to discuss their progress with someone either inside or outside the course who could help hold them accountable. In a Massive Open Online Course (MOOC) on Environmental Education Outcomes, developed for a global audience of environmental educators, 1,259 participants were randomly assigned to one of three conditions: accountability-inside, accountability-outside, or a business-as-usual control. Overall, the interventions did not significantly affect the average number of discussion posts or project completion rates. However, participants in the accountability-inside condition made significantly fewer comments across all countries. Notably, among U.S. participants, those in the accountability-outside made more posts and comments and had higher project completion rates than those in the accountability-inside condition. These findings offer insights into culturally contingent responses to accountability structures and point to a scalable approach for enhancing engagement in online learning environments. They also raise important theoretical questions about the psychological mechanisms through which accountability influences learner behavior.
Abstractor: As Provided
Entry Date: 2025
Accession Number: EJ1490319
Database: ERIC
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  Data: Effects of Accountability Interventions on Environmental Educators' Engagement in MOOCs
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  Data: Online Learning Consortium, Inc. P.O. Box 1238, Newburyport, MA 01950. Tel: 888-898-6209; Fax: 888-898-6209; e-mail: olj@onlinelearning-c.org; Web site: https://olj.onlinelearningconsortium.org/index.php/olj/index
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  Data: Many participants in online courses struggle to remain engaged and complete the course, often due to a lack of perceived accountability. This study experimentally tested the effects of accountability interventions designed to encourage learners to discuss their progress with someone either inside or outside the course who could help hold them accountable. In a Massive Open Online Course (MOOC) on Environmental Education Outcomes, developed for a global audience of environmental educators, 1,259 participants were randomly assigned to one of three conditions: accountability-inside, accountability-outside, or a business-as-usual control. Overall, the interventions did not significantly affect the average number of discussion posts or project completion rates. However, participants in the accountability-inside condition made significantly fewer comments across all countries. Notably, among U.S. participants, those in the accountability-outside made more posts and comments and had higher project completion rates than those in the accountability-inside condition. These findings offer insights into culturally contingent responses to accountability structures and point to a scalable approach for enhancing engagement in online learning environments. They also raise important theoretical questions about the psychological mechanisms through which accountability influences learner behavior.
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      – Text: English
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        PageCount: 27
        StartPage: 25
    Subjects:
      – SubjectFull: MOOCs
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Environmental Education
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Learner Engagement
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      – SubjectFull: Intervention
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Accountability
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      – SubjectFull: Educational Practices
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      – SubjectFull: Cultural Context
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      – SubjectFull: Cultural Influences
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      – SubjectFull: Foreign Countries
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      – SubjectFull: Educational Strategies
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      – SubjectFull: Interpersonal Communication
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      – SubjectFull: Self Actualization
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      – SubjectFull: China
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      – SubjectFull: United States
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