Why do some MOOCs release material weekly instead of allowing access at any time?

Some MOOCs (massive open online courses) restrict access to material on a weekly basis and set specific deadlines for tasks as a strategic effort to encourage student engagement and improve completion rates.1

While some courses allow students to work through content at their own pace, the weekly release model is designed to provide structure, which helps mitigate the high dropout and failure rates often associated with the MOOC format. By requiring tasks to be completed by set deadlines, providers aim to keep learners actively involved throughout the duration of the course.1