Anastassis Kozanitis

Proceedings of the 14th International Multi-Conference on Complexity, Informatics and Cybernetics: IMCIC 2023, pp. 133-138 (2023); https://doi.org/10.54808/IMCIC2023.01.133

Anastassis Kozanitis
Didactic Department, Universite du Quebec a Montreal, Montreal, Quebec, Canada

Cite this paper as:
Kozanitis, A. (2023). Comparing Real Time Student Situational Engagement in Traditional and Active Learning Classroom Using Non-invasive Electrodermal Measurements. In N. Callaos, S. Hashimoto, N. Lace, B. Sánchez, M. Savoie (Eds.), Proceedings of the 14th International Multi-Conference on Complexity, Informatics and Cybernetics: IMCIC 2023, pp. 133-138. International Institute of Informatics and Cybernetics. https://doi.org/10.54808/IMCIC2023.01.133

Active learning pedagogies are part of an ongoing effort from instructors to generate a strong student engagement towards learning. When used exclusively, or when combined with traditional lecturing, such teaching methods have shown to increase student situational engagement. Because of its fluctuating nature, traditional methods for measuring situational engagement, such as questionnaires and semi-structure interviews, have important limits. Available non-invasive neurophysiological technologies for in situ use, allow to overcome these difficulties. This study used electrodermal activity (EDA) sensors embedded in the E4 Empatica bracelet, a non-invasive watch-like device, that measures skin conductivity in real time. Fluctuations in participants electrodermal activity capture degrees of variation of students’ situational engagement. Data was collected between week 6 and week 11 of the winter semester for 2 groups (1 active learning, 1 traditional lecturing). Results show that EDA levels are generally higher for students in active learning classroom when compared to those from the traditional lecture classroom.