Measuring and improving learner engagement in distance learning
Berg, Teodora (2021)
2021
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Julkaisun pysyvä osoite on
https://urn.fi/URN:NBN:fi:amk-2021060714780
https://urn.fi/URN:NBN:fi:amk-2021060714780
Tiivistelmä
This thesis is a research-based study with the aim of devising an effective way of measuring and improving learner engagement in online educational events, more specifically online workshops with a webinar format.
It was commissioned by a startup accelerator, in order for them to better understand the best practices for measuring learning outcomes of the participants of their programs, in addition to receiving actionable suggestions for their improvement. The research was carried out in the Spring of 2020, right after they were forced to pivot to an online format as a result of the social distancing measures of the COVID-19 pandemic.
The research was carried out through a qualitative self-report method, based on the community of inquiry framework and Moore’s Model of Interaction. The results were then used to identify where the student engagement falls short, with the ultimate aim of creating concrete suggestions for improvement.
The research findings demonstrate a high general level of learner engagement, with social presence aspects performing the best, cognitive presence being a close second and teaching presence having the most room for improvement. The identified areas of improvement were related to the communication of due dates and time frames for various learning activities, improving the learners’ comfort using the necessary online learning environments and tools, and improving the coaches ability to keep the learners engaged and participating in discussions in addition to keeping them focused on the task at hand.
It was commissioned by a startup accelerator, in order for them to better understand the best practices for measuring learning outcomes of the participants of their programs, in addition to receiving actionable suggestions for their improvement. The research was carried out in the Spring of 2020, right after they were forced to pivot to an online format as a result of the social distancing measures of the COVID-19 pandemic.
The research was carried out through a qualitative self-report method, based on the community of inquiry framework and Moore’s Model of Interaction. The results were then used to identify where the student engagement falls short, with the ultimate aim of creating concrete suggestions for improvement.
The research findings demonstrate a high general level of learner engagement, with social presence aspects performing the best, cognitive presence being a close second and teaching presence having the most room for improvement. The identified areas of improvement were related to the communication of due dates and time frames for various learning activities, improving the learners’ comfort using the necessary online learning environments and tools, and improving the coaches ability to keep the learners engaged and participating in discussions in addition to keeping them focused on the task at hand.