I can see what you are doing: using collaboration software to increase student engagement during computer-screen-based tutorials

Active collaborative learning and membership in learning communities have been identified by researchers to engage learners. In this pilot study a commercially available software utility was used to establish such an environment in a computer laboratory. Others have found the learner-centred education can be facilitated by integrating the tablet PCs for the students. Research by the author showed that experiential learning of basic electronics, using circuit simulation software, facilitates student engagement resulting in deep learning. This research addressed the following issues: will collaborative learning result in more student engagement and what type of software will support such activity. The tutorials for first-year electronic systems students were timetabled into a computer laboratory that had a network of tablet PCs with circuit simulation software, which in 2012 were installed with a collaboration software as well. The students were asked to show, on the screens, their solutions to problems and verify their results with appropriate circuit simulations. The collected data included anonymous survey responses, mean marks for assessable components and tutorial attendance figures for 2011 (pre-intervention) and 2012 (post-intervention). The student use of the simulation software increased. Mean assignment and tutorial participation marks improved. Other assessable subject components appeared to have worsened. Finally, 12% of the respondents to an anonymous post-event survey were negative about the intervention. Student engagement, as reflected in tutorial attendance and assignment marks, were better in 2012. Exam result comparison with 2011 cohort contradicted the findings by others who completed student collaboration studies using networked tablet PCs. Free-form responses in the anonymous student survey were favourable. All these issues need further investigation.