Effects of motivation on performance of students in MOOC

The paper is based on the view that avid number of students enrolled in online courses doesn’t necessarily finish them and earn certificate. Specialized web sites such as Coursera, EdX and Udacity are getting more members each day, but number of people who attend courses is not getting higher. Question that was asked is what is motivational factor for people to enroll in these courses and what keeps them focused and oriented toward finishing them. The premise is that reason for engagement in online courses comes mainly from external factor i.e. expectations of subject social environment. This paper discuss differences between external and internal motivational factors, with emphasis on self-determination which subjects shows in early weeks of attendance these courses, and which declines as the course proceeds toward the end and final exam which leads to receiving certificate.