Table 4.

Thematic analysis of open-ended responses—potential value

Positive/negative	Theme	Description	Quote example
Positive	Networking and Social Connections	Participants mentioned forming new connections and expanding their networks.	Met a friend and we are still very much in contact. Increased my network connections.
	Shared Learning Experiences	Engagement in group projects led to shared learning experiences and connections with diverse peers.	Collaborating on group projects created a sense of community.
	Confidence and Personal Growth	Participants reported increased confidence levels and personal growth through interactions in the course.	Boosted my confidence to participate in discussions.
	Global Engagement and Cultural Exchange	Engaging with diverse participants led to global engagement and cultural exchange.	Exposure to diverse perspectives enhanced my learning.
Negative	Lack of Social Interaction	Participants mentioned the absence of social opportunities and interaction in the online courses.	Because I never talked to anyone from Delft or within the edX Pre-University Calculus community.
	Self-Paced and Individual Learning	Participants focused on individual learning goals without actively seeking social connections.	I took the course at my own pace and did not communicate with anyone else.
	Limited Participation in Forums	Many participants did not actively engage in the course forums or discussions.	Not much social interaction and did not participate in group activities.
	Online Format Constraints	Challenges related to the online format restricting social interactions among participants.	Being an online course, it was not manageable to maintain any connections.