Conference presentation
Monitoring student engagement using Blackboard ‘hit rates’
2011 Learning & Teaching Week Program and Abstracts Book, p.22
Learning & Teaching Week, 2011 (Sunshine Coast, Australia, 19-Sep-2011 - 23-Sep-2011)
University of the Sunshine Coast
2011
Abstract
Student persistence in higher education (which can lead to better student retention for the institution) can be positively related to several conditions, namely: "institutional commitment; institutional expectations; support; feedback and monitoring; and involvement" (Tinto, 2005; p. 50). For students to succeed, academic expectations need to be high and sufficient time must be spent studying: for example reading, researching and completing assessment tasks (so called 'time-on-task') (Tinto, 2005). Monitoring of student engagement, therefore, is one key strategy in reducing attrition in the first year at university. The purpose of this study was to examine the Early Warning System (EWS) and 'hit rates' in Blackboard as methods of monitoring students at risk of attrition. Two 1st year science courses were chosen for the study, Cell Biology and Science Research Methods, due to their use of online assessment accessed through Blackboard. The EWS was used in week 4 in conjunction with attendance and assignment submission data to identify students at risk. Blackboard usage data or 'hit rates' were collated from week 1 through to the final examination date and analysed for patterns of usage and relationships to final grades. Analysis of hit rates revealed more useful data than the use of the EWS. Hit rates in both courses followed a similar trajectory, with a peak in use by week 3 - 4, a marked decrease in usage between weeks 3 and 5; minimal use of Blackboard over the two week intra-semester break; and a gradual increase between weeks 6-11. There were strong relationships between the mean hit rate and final grade achieved, with failing students having significantly less engagement with Blackboard compared to passing students, based on mean hit rates. Further research is required to determine the reasons for lower Blackboard engagement in failing students, so as to develop strategies to increase engagement and success in first year.
Details
- Title
- Monitoring student engagement using Blackboard ‘hit rates’
- Authors
- Ann L Parkinson (Author) - University of the Sunshine Coast - Faculty of Science, Health and EducationPeter K Dunn (Author) - University of the Sunshine Coast - Faculty of Science, Health and Education
- Publication details
- 2011 Learning & Teaching Week Program and Abstracts Book, p.22
- Conference details
- Learning & Teaching Week, 2011 (Sunshine Coast, Australia, 19-Sep-2011 - 23-Sep-2011)
- Publisher
- University of the Sunshine Coast
- Organisation Unit
- School of Science, Technology and Engineering; School of Health and Behavioural Sciences - Legacy; University of the Sunshine Coast, Queensland; School of Health and Sport Sciences - Legacy; School of Health - Biomedicine
- Language
- English
- Record Identifier
- 99450055802621
- Output Type
- Conference presentation
Metrics
625 Record Views