Well done on a great ethnography Helen! I’m particularly drawn to your analysis as I was also part of a MOOC on Future Learn and also felt this ever present pressure to participate, comment and keep up. Having completed MOOC’s on other platforms it seems fairly particular to their offerings? Is there a particular aspect of the visual design, progress indicators and number of comments made per module that makes one feel guilt ridden for not being more involved? Furthermore, is this the intention perhaps?

I’m reminded of Descartes, ‘I think, therefore I am’ statement when considering the above. As ethnographers these past few weeks we have be somewhat forearmed to the self inflicted pressures of the MOOC’process. Why should we even be surprised when the average Joe Soap has a punt at some course that carries his vague interest and then drops off after a few short engagements? Particularly as the influences of life, as you have aptly portrayed them, get in the way. Maybe all MOOC’s should come with a mindfulness block up front.

Well Done again!

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