Learning outcomes of a MOOC designed for attitudinal change: A case study of an Animal Behavior and Welfare MOOC

• Published in: Computers and education 2016-05, Vol.96, p.83-93
• Main Authors: Watson, William R., Kim, Woori, Watson, Sunnie Lee
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Animal welfare; Animals; Distance education and telelearning; Distributed learning environments; Education; Evaluation of CAL systems; Formations; Instructors; Learning; Perception; Post-secondary education; Strategy
• ISSN: 0360-1315; 1873-782X
• DOI: 10.1016/j.compedu.2016.01.013

This study examines the case of an Animal Behavior and Welfare MOOC that specifically targeted attitudinal change in its learners. Attitudinal learning outcomes were evaluated using an author-developed survey with questions on perceptions in the four areas of attitudinal learning: General Learning, Cognitive Learning, Affective Learning, and Behavioral Learning. The survey also examined learner goals for enrolling in the course and their perceptions of the instructional methods implemented in the course. Results showed that learners perceived positive learning outcomes across all four areas. Statistically significant differences were found in relation to perceptions of attitudinal learning based on their reason for enrolling in the MOOC and its relation to attitude formation. There were also significant differences in learners' reasons for enrollment based on whether they intended to change animal welfare related behaviors due to their MOOC experience. Learners overwhelming indicated that the instructor videos were the most impactful instructional strategy regardless of whether they had a higher perception of learning, or a lower perception. Finally, learners with higher perceptions primarily enrolled in the MOOC in order to form a viewpoint on animal welfare, while lower perception learners enrolled to earn a formal certificate of completion. Implications are discussed for instructional design for attitude change as well as for the use of MOOCs for learning regarding social topics. •Examined case of an Animal Behavior and Welfare MOOC targeting attitudinal change.•Learners perceived positive attitudinal learning across all four areas of attitude.•Differences existed in learning based on reason for enrolling in the MOOC.•Differences existed for enrollment based on intent to change related behaviors.•Videos overwhelmingly identified as the most impactful instructional strategy.