Results from a survey of 200+ online learners about Massive Online Open Courses (MOOCs) -- experiences with Coursera, Udacity, edX, MIT Open CourseWare.com and other online education platforms, needs and preferences with respect to online learning. Survey was conducted in June 2013 in a population pre-disposed to higher education and learning.

1. Online Learning Survey
An Analysis Of Learning Preferences And Needs

2. 2Survey analysis with images not chartsBOS
We surveyed friends and networks pre-disposed to
online learning. No incentives to participate
212TOTAL SURVEY
PARTICIPANTS
18-61
AGE 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
4.2
AVERAGE 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. 3Survey analysis with images not chartsBOS
Awareness highest for MIT & Coursera. Trial rate
highest for Coursera.
Definitions
Awareness: 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?

4. 4Survey analysis with images not chartsBOS
Curriculum, teaching method, reputation and price
most important criteria for course selection

5. 5Survey analysis with images not chartsBOS
General interest and career are primary motivators.
Lack of time most common reason for dropping out.

6. 6Survey analysis with images not chartsBOS
Those without advanced degrees more likely to take
online courses for career growth

7. 7Survey analysis with images not chartsBOS
60% willing to pay for online learning and prefer to
learn fully online

8. 8Survey analysis with images not chartsBOS
Propensity to learn online is greater among those with
fewer existing degrees

9. 9Survey analysis with images not chartsBOS
Willingness to pay for online learning also greater
among those with fewer existing degrees

10. 10Survey analysis with images not chartsBOS
Course discovery and lack of peer groups are primary
challenges faced by online learners

11. 11Survey analysis with images not chartsBOS
Learners find courses via web search, browsing well-
known providers, and friends’ recommendations
How do you find online courses?

12. 12Survey analysis with images not chartsBOS
Finally…
We’d love to hear from you!
contact@mysliderule.com
Help us make this research more robust by
filling out the 5-minute survey:
bitly.com/onlinelearningsurvey
We will update this analysis once we have
a meaningfully larger sample!