Identification of Item Disengagement Profiles Through Psycho-Physio Measurement

• In Event: Neural Correlates of Engagement During Learning and Assessment

Abstract

For over a century, student achievement has relied on standardized tests, which may not fully capture engagement. Computer-based testing and physiological measures now allow exploring additional dimensions beyond selected answers. This study examines neurocognitive and physiological data's role in understanding item disengagement, stress, and cognitive demand during science content assessment. One-hundred fifth-grade students participated, and EDR/HRV and hemodynamics data were analyzed for response onset, sustained activity, and return to baseline. Low-stress events showed significant differences in average time to response onset, time to return to baseline, and sustained EDR response. Identifying rapid disengagement in item responses can improve score validity for educators and enhance adaptive features in CBT environments.

Authors

• Richard Lamb, University of Georgia

• Knut Neumann, Leibniz Institute for Science and Mathematics Education

• Norah Mansour Almusharraf, Prince Sultan University

• Douglas L. Hoston, Buffalo State University - SUNY