Arab Educational Information Network

The objective of this study was to identify the salient factors that encourage trainees continued participation in MOOC’s, which were organized by the Saudi Electronic University during the 2016 summer electronic camp, and what factors leading some participants to drop out. The study also sought to identify participants’ perception about the summer courses and their relation to some variables. The researcher utilized descriptive statistics for the study. The researcher created an instrument that he was satisfied with its reliability and validity. The instrument was distributed to 1982 trainees who participated in one or more of the workshops held during the 2016 summer electronic camp during the 2015-2016 academic year. The study identified the most important factors encouraging participation among the attendees was: acquisition of a certificate from a recognized institution followed by attaining educational benefits and finally ease of learning and participation. The most important factors that led to withdrawal from the program were: lack of time, technical difficulties and other personal reasons. The overall perception of the participants regarding the course was very positive. These perceptions were not affected by gender, job status and professional qualifications. Based on the findings of this study, the researcher proposed a number of recommendations among them were: encouraging Saudi Electronic University to continue offering MOCC courses, and taking measures which result in increasing courses and varieties as well as the number of trainees. (Published abstract)