Beyond Passive Online Learning: Evaluating a Constructive Engagement Upgrade for Software Engineering Students

• In Event: Collaboration in Online Learning

Abstract

Recent trends reflect a growing need to design effective online instruction within the higher education landscape. Drawing from the ICAP framework (Interactive, Constructive, Active, Passive) and using a quasi-experimental pretest-posttest control group design, we examined the efficacy of a Constructive Engagement Upgrade (CEU) for software engineering students (n = 34) enrolled in an online course. CEU students evidenced statistically and practically significantly greater growth than those in a business-as-usual control for content that was taught in the CEU. There was no statistically or practically significant differences in growth between CEU and control students for content that was taught the same in both sections. Findings illustrate that the CEU can serve as a promising approach to support students’ online STEM learning.

Authors

• Carla M. Firetto, Arizona State University

• Yi-Chun Hong, Arizona State University

• Michelene T.H. Chi, Arizona State University