An observation tool for instructor and student behaviors to measure in-class learner engagement: a validation study

Figures & data

Table 1 Observed class types and characteristics

Class type	Number of 5-min cycles	Content	Year	Number of students
LLC	20	Physical examination of the skin	3rd	104–110
LSC	85	Dermatitis	5th	21–29
CBT	50	Pruritic patient management	5th	24–29
PBL	48	Pneumonia	2nd	9

LLC=lecture in large class; LSC=lecture in small class; CBT=case-based teaching; PBL=problem-based learning.

Table 2 Instructor and student observation scores in different class types

	LLC Median (min–max)	LSC Median (min–max)	CBT Median (min–max)	PBL Median (min–max)
Instructor	1.5 (1.0–2.0)	2.0 (1.0–5.0)	3.0 (2.0–5.0)	4.0 (2.0–5.0)
Student	2.0 (1.0–4.0)	3.0 (1.0–5.0)	4.0 (1.0–5.0)	4.0 (1.0–5.0)

LLC = lecture in large class; LSC = lecture in small class; CBT = case-based teaching; PBL = problem-based learning.

Table 3 Questions asked by the instructor and students in different class types

	LLC Median (min–max)	LSC Median (min–max)	CBT Median (min–max)	PBL Median (min–max)
Instructor	1.0 (0.0–4.0)	2.0 (0.0–6.0)	2.0 (0.0–5.0)	2.0 (1.0–5.0)
Student	0.0 (0.0–1.0)	0.0 (0.0–4.0)	1.0 (0.0–5.0)	2.0 (1.0–6.0)

LLC = lecture in large class; LSC = lecture in small class; CBT = case-based teaching; PBL = problem-based learning.

Table

Date and hour:
Observer's name:
Class title:
Instructor's name:
Number of students:
Special notes:

   BEHAVIORS

Instructor
1- Talking to entire class while all the students are passive receivers
2- Telling/asking to one or a group of students, or teaching/showing an application on a student
3- Starting or conducting a discussion open to whole class, or assigning some students for some learning tasks
4- Listening/monitoring actively discussing one or a group of students
5- Listening/monitoring actively discussing entire class
Other:

Table

Student
	Student 1	Student 2	Student 3	Student 4
1. Engaged with non-educational material/browsing a book/notes/whispering to a friend etc.
2. Reading or writing something (including following the lecture from a published material or taking notes)
3. Listening to the instructor or a talking student/looking at slides or board
4. Talking to the instructor/reading something to entire class or writing something on the board, flipchart etc.
5. Talking/discussing with one or a group of students on the subject matter
Other:

Table

Number of questions	Student:	Instructor:
Comments: