e-ISSN: 2618-6586 Open Access · Peer-Reviewed JETOL on DergiPark
JETOL — Journal of Educational Technology & Online Learning
Publisher
Gürhan Durak
Publication Model
Periodical (January – May – September)
Status
Open for Submissions

Engagement dynamics in information technology education: A comparative analysis of online vs. face-to-face instruction

Research Article

Download PDF DOI: 10.31681/jetol.1508735
Published in
Volume 7, Issue 3 (2024)
Pages
321–333
Publication Date
September 30, 2024
Submission Date
July 2, 2024
Acceptance Date
September 19, 2024
Subjects
Instructional Technologies

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to investigate whether taking a course online or face-to-face matters in terms of student engagement and achievement. Gender differences were also examined. The level of student engagement in an information technology course in a freshman sample from a school of education was surveyed and compared in two consecutive years where the course was taught online in the first year and face-to-face in the second year. There were a total of 129 students, 62 in the online mode and 67 in the face-to-face mode. Data were collected using a survey that included a student engagement scale, as well as midterm and final exams. Non-parametric analyses were used due to data with non-normal distributions for some of the dependent variables, with the Mann–Whitney U test being the main form of analysis for group comparisons. Regarding gender, female students who received face-to-face instruction lost interest in the course toward the final exams, as evidenced by significantly lower engagement scores for both active learning and paying attention. The results show that online versus face-to-face delivery of the computer science course can be more efficient in terms of student engagement, and a similar performance score as in the face-to-face mode can be achieved with less effort to be present at school. In addition, it is evident that female students need more support for greater engagement when the mode of delivery must be face-to-face.

Keywords

  • Student engagement
  • achievement
  • delivery format
  • gender
  • online
  • face-to-face
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