International Journal of
Information and Education Technology

Abstract

The Massive Open Online Course (MOOC) movement represents a new wave of enthusiasm for online resources development. Informed by relevant literature, the author designed a paradigm of using big data in education to develop MOOCs. It is argued that MOOC development can benefit from big data in education, the use of which enables MOOC developers to better reflect MOOC values in the overall design, better control the development process, and better meet users’ needs. Big-data-driven MOOCs are characterized by better fit between developers’ intentions and users’ needs, enhanced usability and stronger adaptability. Issues concerning the use of big data in decision making, content selection, forms of expression and feedback mechanism are discussed, with the MOOC entitled “Psychology and Healthy Life” as a case in point.