how to improve online learners' engagement?

Scott Robison, Ph.D.scottarobison@gmail.com

@otterscotter

How to improve online learners’ engagement?

Student Engagement

Image: CC BY Alice Popkorn https://flic.kr/p/5nK5FY

We think we know what student engagement looks like…

Image: By Hoodr - CC BY-SA 3.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=15512644

What does it look like online?

Image: By CollegeDegrees360 - CC BY-SA https://flic.kr/p/cEJnWs

There is no universally accepted definition of what comprises engagement (Beer et al.

2010).

What leads to real student engagement?• A matter of motivation• Engaged students are often

characterized as being motivated

• What motivates students?• Extrinsic – Grades, instructor approval• Intrinsic – Desire to learn, interest

Image: By OpenSource.com - CC BY-SA https://flic.kr/p/7S4TxZ

Interest is active. We take interest.~ Dewey 1913, “Interest and Effort in Education”

“Interest is a powerful motivator.”

“If we can supply an environment of materials, appliances, and resources — physical, social, and intellectual — to direct their adequate operation, we shall not have to think about interest. It will take care of itself.”

~ Dewey 1913 By Underwood & Underwood [Public domain], via Wikimedia Commons

Resources(give control)

Interest(taking)

Ownership(acquired)

Empowerment (freedom)

Motivation (catalyst)

Engagement (action)

“Materials, appliances and resources – physical, social, and intellectual…”

Let students choose/control…1. the topic2. the route3. the materials and resources4. the format for their products5. their audience

from John Spencer’s “Getting started with student choice” http://www.spencerauthor.com/2016/09/getting-started-with-student-choice.html

“If you are open to making some changes (small or large), to giving up some control to your students, we have very talented OAI staff who can help with those changes to enhance student engagement in your online course.”

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0

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Scott Robisonscottarobison@gmail.com

@otterscotter