Assessment of Interest: New Approaches and New Insights

Session Submission Type: Symposium

Abstract

This session focuses on contemporary approaches to measuring interest that represent alternatives to traditional self-report measures. Awareness of the limitations associated with dependence on self-report questionnaires has led researchers to experiment with new ways of accessing the character of student interest. In this symposium international researchers showcase research that is using on-task monitoring, neuroscientific, real-time interactive, and the coupling of qualitative information and survey items. Presenters will describe the special insights provided by the measures employed. The research programs include students from both secondary and tertiary levels; findings from this work expand current understanding of the character of interest and its role in supporting student learning.

Sub Unit

• SIG-Motivation in Education

Chair

• Mary D. Ainley, University of Melbourne

Papers

• Situational Interest in the Active-Learning Classroom: A Microanalytic Measurement - Jerome I. Rotgans, National Institute of Education - Nanyang Technological University

• Neuroscientific Model of Interest Development - Sung-Il Kim, Korea University

• A New Approach to Exploring and Profiling Interest - Robert B.W. Ely, The University of Melbourne; Mary D. Ainley, University of Melbourne; Jon M. Pearce, University of Melbourne

• Measuring Interest: The Open-Ended Response in a Large-Scale Survey - K. Ann Renninger, Swarthmore College; Lynne Steuerle Schofield, Swarthmore College

Discussant

• Suzanne E. Hidi, University of Toronto