Combining MOOCs and Virtual Worlds to Foster Collaboration between Worldwide Learners

During a pilot study, a virtual world with several events will be combined with the MOOC “From Data Analytics to Action”. The effect on social interaction and collaboration among MOOC participants will be evaluated. The challenge of a special virtual world for a MOOC is the diversity of the MOOC participants that is different from usual students regarding the age, variety of cultures, different time zones, different previous learning experiences and backgrounds and different aims in participating in the MOOC.