I’ve been tracking Big Data, really trying to get up to speed with predictive analytics and the like but have developed an interest in the widespread impact of big data across the spectrum of things I am interested in. One being Connectivism as a new theory of learning. Well connectivism has strong links to MOOCs and this article points out some major problems for proponents of MOOCs through the use of data analytics.
Two of particular interest – the rapid dropout rate of enrollees and the possibility that the presence of instructors may result in a decline in participation in discussions. Worth reading: http://goo.gl/CCKja4