Examining learner engagement in MOOCs focused on cloud vendor products
https://doi.org/10.32517/0234-0453-2025-40-2-57-65
Abstract
Research on learner engagement in massive open online courses (MOOCs) has predominantly focused on those developed by educational and non-profit organizations. However, the significance of MOOCs offered by IT service providers (vendors), particularly in the field of cloud computing, has gained prominence in recent years. These vendor-led courses facilitate interaction between learners and vendors, underscoring the necessity of investigating engagement levels within MOOCs from cloud service providers. The aim of the study presented in this article is twofold: first, to identify learner types based on their engagement patterns while participating in the “Cloud Services Engineer” MOOC developed by Yandex Cloud; second, to ascertain the factors influencing learner engagement in this context.
To achieve the aims, learners enrolled in the “Cloud Services Engineer” MOOC were clustered based on their level of engagement, which was assessed using data on lesson completion and test performance. Furthermore, the study examined the relationship between cluster membership and factors such as prior experience in cloud computing, professional position, and motivations for enrolling in the course.
The analysis revealed three distinct clusters of learners. The first cluster comprises highly engaged individuals who actively strive to obtain a certificate, likely motivated by institutional or employer requirements. The second cluster includes learners demonstrating prolonged interaction with educational materials but limited test attempts, suggesting intrinsic motivation to master cloud skills without the necessity for formal ascertainment of knowledge; and the third cluster consists of learners with minimal engagement, focusing on specific topics within the MOOC without seeking formal validation of their knowledge.
The findings highlight the importance of designing non-linear MOOCs that cater to diverse learner needs and interests in cloud learning.
About the Authors
G. A. PorosenkovRussian Federation
Gennadii A. Porosenkov, Head of Customer and Partner Training; Postgraduate Student, Doctoral School of Management,
Moscow.
M. M. Tcepelevich
Russian Federation
Margarita M. Tcepelevich, Researcher, Customer and Partner Training,
Moscow.
D. A. Kizyakov
Russian Federation
Dmitry A. Kizyakov, Development Analyst; Master’s Student, 1st year,
Moscow.
V. N. Selezneva
Russian Federation
Valentina N. Selezneva, Lead E-learning Designer of Customer and Partner Training,
Moscow.
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Review
For citations:
Porosenkov G.A., Tcepelevich M.M., Kizyakov D.A., Selezneva V.N. Examining learner engagement in MOOCs focused on cloud vendor products. Informatics and education. 2025;40(2):57-65. (In Russ.) https://doi.org/10.32517/0234-0453-2025-40-2-57-65