Determining Students' Academic Engagement while Completing Learning Activities and Assessments

With this Phase I funding, the project team will develop and test a prototype of D-TECH, a system to determine students' level of academic engagement while completing computer-based learning activities and assessments. The prototype will integrate within existing third party computer-based programs (e.g., online courseware, educational games, simulations, intelligent tutors) and will consist of a behind-the-scenes machine algorithm that mines and analyzes student log data. The prototype will also include a dashboard that provides reports to teachers with information on whether students are attentive or distracted while completing learning activities or assessments. At the end of Phase I, in a pilot study with 30 middle school students using a predetermined automated math tutor, the researchers will examine whether the prototype functions as planned, whether the models accurately detect students' level of academic achievement, and whether teachers believe the information could be used to support struggling students.