Student Engagement: An Empirical Analysis of the Effects of Implementing Mandatory Web-Based Learning Systems

ABSTRACT

Student engagement has, and will continue to be, a key desire for educators. However, some policies that are aimed at increasing engagement may actually have the opposite effect. This study of 98 students investigates one mandatory policy to use a web-based learning system and presents the level of student engagement compared to other classes where the learning system was not used. Results show that students that were required to use the web-based material had lower engagement, thus providing evidence that participation is not synonymous with engagement. Implications for practice and research are proposed.

KEYWORDS:

• curriculum delivery
• curriculum development
• student disengagement
• student engagement
• student participation

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Gerald F. Burch

Gerald F. Burch is an assistant professor of management in the College of Business at Tarleton State University. Jerry received his PhD in management/organizational behavior from Virginia Commonwealth University and his MS from the Naval Postgraduate School in Operations Research. His primary areas of research are in leadership, entrepreneurship, supply-chain management, innovation, and scholarship of teaching and learning. He can be reached at [email protected].

Jana J. Burch

Jana J. Burch is a doctoral research fellow in the College of Education at Tarleton State University. Her research interests include student engagement, curriculum design, creativity, and teacher education. She presently holds a BA in education, an MEd in educational psychology, postgraduate work in marketing, and is pursuing a doctoral degree in educational leadership. She can be reached at [email protected].

John Womble

John Womble is an adjunct associate professor of management for Navarro College and Tarleton State University. His research interests include management education, student engagement, and curriculum design. He can be reached at [email protected].