ABSTRACT

Flexible learning removes barriers relating to time, place, and pace. While time management skills have been identified as necessary for learners to take advantage of flexible learning, relatively little is known about the temporal dimensions of flexible learning and how gender might relate to temporal flexibility and its perceived benefits. To address this gap, we analyzed data from 380,000 students participating in two massive open online courses to create a model that predicts course completion likelihood from learner time management behaviors and gender. Results supported most a priori assumptions. Successful course completers logged in frequently, devoted longer amounts of time to each session, moved quickly through course materials, and completed coursework early. However, consistent study was associated with lower course completion likelihood, and women benefited more from reduced consistency. These findings suggest that temporal flexibility may especially benefit women.

摘要

灵活的学习消除了与时间，地点和步调有关的障碍。虽然时间管理技能已被确定为学习者利用柔性学习所必需的，但对柔性学习的时间维度以及性别如何与时间灵活性及其感知收益之间的关系知之甚少。为了解决这一差距，我们分析了参加两个大规模在线公开课程的380,000名学生的数据，以创建一个模型，该模型可根据学习者的时间管理行为和性别来预测课程完成的可能性。结果支持大多数先验假设。成功的课程完成者经常登录，每次会议花费更长的时间，快速浏览课程材料，并尽早完成课程工作。然而，一致的研究与较低的课程结业可能性相关，并且女性从一致性降低中受益更多。这些发现表明，时间上的灵活性尤其可以使妇女受益。