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Just asking for a few pennies to take part would up the completion rate and reduce the frivolous sign ups.

I feel that would be really unnecessary and possibly harmful to the MOOCs themselves.

1 - Sign ups alone require nearly no resources from the provider.

2 - Attendance and therefore popularity could be much lower. While that could be a good thing (less people and more money -> more support to each student), it would probably never be enough to cover a course's cost.

In the end, people are learning. I haven't completed any course yet (attended about 4, attending one now), but I'm thankful for them and I don't think the resources I used harmed the MOOCs.

The pennies are obviously not to cover the cost of the MOOC. It the sunk-cost effect, people are more likely to use or complete something they pay for.

Not for pennies. People whoe aren't willing to exercise regularly to make use of hundred pound gym subscriptions are unlikely to finish a MOOC because of a few pennies.

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