ERIC Number: EJ786624
Record Type: Journal
Publication Date: 2008-Apr
Pages: 15
Abstractor: Author
ISBN: N/A
ISSN: ISSN-1055-8896
EISSN: N/A
Measuring Learner Engagement in Computer-Equipped College Classrooms
Bulger, Monica E.; Mayer, Richard E.; Almeroth, Kevin C.; Blau, Sheridan D.
Journal of Educational Multimedia and Hypermedia, v17 n2 p129-143 Apr 2008
Although engagement and learning appear linked, quantitatively measuring this relationship is challenging. New technologies offer a window into studying the interactions among classroom activity, student engagement, and positive learning outcomes in computer-equipped classrooms. A Classroom Behavioral Analysis System (CBAS) was developed to measure student engagement in a college writing class, and to test the hypothesis that an interactive lesson would increase student engagement levels in a computer-equipped classroom. Student computer-based behaviors (off-task and on-task internet visits) were compared during a traditional, lecture-based lesson (no-simulation condition) and an interactive simulation-based lesson (simulation condition). The dependent variable was student engagement as measured by the number of off-task and on-task internet activities during the lesson. Off-task internet activities were operationalized as website visits that were not part of the classroom activity; on-task internet activities included websites that related to the assigned class activity. CBAS recorded all student computer actions during the observed instructional periods. Students attending a simulation-based lesson performed more on-task internet actions, and significantly fewer off-task internet actions than did students attending a lecture-based lesson. These findings support the hypothesis that interactive lessons increase student engagement levels in computer-equipped classrooms, and demonstrate that CBAS is a promising tool for studying student engagement. (Contains 2 figures and 1 table.)
Descriptors: Teaching Methods, Internet, Lecture Method, Computer Assisted Instruction, Access to Computers, Student Participation, Computer Simulation, Time on Task, Web Sites, College Students, Writing Instruction, Student Motivation
Association for the Advancement of Computing in Education. P.O. Box 1545, Chesapeake, VA 23327-1545. Tel: 757-366-5606; Fax: 703-997-8760; e-mail: info@aace.org; Web site: http://www.aace.org
Publication Type: Journal Articles; Reports - Evaluative
Education Level: Higher Education
Audience: N/A
Language: English
Sponsor: N/A
Authoring Institution: N/A
Grant or Contract Numbers: N/A