Rising Public Interest of Thai Domestic and International MOOC Providers: A Google Search Analysis

Abstract

Internet search trends can be used to evaluate public interest in massive open online courses (MOOCs). This study investigates relatively popular search terms relating to online learning and MOOC providers in Thailand and worldwide using data from Google search. The selected search terms are queried using Google Trends®, and the search location is limited to Thailand. Search volume indices in four quarters, from 117 weeks or 27 months, January 1, 2018 to March 31, 2020, are described and compared by trend analysis. Correlations between online learning and search terms relating to three domestic Thai MOOC and two international MOOC trademarks are evaluated. Preferred terms relating to online learning in Thailand are written in the Thai script, but terms relating to MOOCs are written in Thai and English scripts. The number of searches for “online learning,” “MOOC Chula,” “MOOC Mahidol,” and “edX” increases over time. The two local MOOC providers demonstrate positive correlations with “online learning” searches in the first quarters of the three-year study. Geographical attributes indicate that search concentration is mostly in the capital. Originality/Value- Insights into search trends may help educators promote open courses in the region direct to students’ interest. Understanding this technique may help MOOC providers promote their courses in different geographical locations. Besides, this study possibly explored the possibility of an increasing exponential growth curve of interest after the COVID-19 pandemic outbreak.