Mapping Student Activity Data to the Visual Design of Online Learning Environments

Abstract

Data generated by GeorgetownX Massive Open Online Courses (MOOCs) is rich with information that can shed light on the way people interact with online learning environments. At Georgetown's Center for New Designs in Learning and Scholarship (CNDLS), our current research on engagement/click data in MOOCs has been limited to a one-dimensional, binary approach. We know the frequency with which users interact with the courses, but we have yet to analyze this data through the lens of visual design. We know that people click some places more than others; this research aims to uncover where these clicks happen in the context of the web page and propose why. This study brings student activity data beyond excel spreadsheets by conducting wireframing exercises and 3-D mapping onto the visual design of the online learning environment. Platforms covered in this study include edX, Coursera, Lynda, Khan Academy, Duolingo, Blackboard, Udacity, and a custom platform built specifically for one course. I borrow from a number of fields including graphic design, web design, interaction design, user experience, instructional design, and standards.