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Measuring Learner Engagement in Computer-Equipped College Classrooms

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Bulger, M.E., Mayer, R.E., Almeroth, K.C. & Blau, S.D. (2008). Measuring Learner Engagement in Computer-Equipped College Classrooms. Journal of Educational Multimedia and Hypermedia, 17(2), 129-143. Chesapeake, VA: AACE.
Retrieved from http://www.editlib.org/p/23524.

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Journal Information

Journal of Educational Multimedia and Hypermedia
ISSN 1055-8896
Volume 17, Issue 2, April 2008
Association for the Advancement of Computing in Education (AACE)  Chesapeake, VA

More Information on JEMH

Authors

Monica E. Bulger, Richard E. Mayer, Kevin C. Almeroth, Sheridan D. Blau, University of California, Santa Barbara, USA

Abstract

** Invited as a Paper From ED-MEDIA 2006 ** 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.

Keywords

• Virtual Environments
• Research Methods
• Computer Sciences
• Educational Technology
• eLearning
• Instructional Design
• Interaction
• Teaching Methods
• Computers

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