Online measurement of student engagement: Reflections on a CLASSE pilot in rural South Africa

Student engagement represents two critical features of institutional quality, namely the amount of time and effort students put into all educationally purposeful activities, and how the institution deploys its resources and organises learning opportunities to encourage students to participate in activities that research studies have shown to be linked to better learning. Institution-wide surveys of student engagement collect data from undergraduate students at universities. The Classroom Survey of Student Engagement (CLASSE) is a classroom-level adaptation that collects data specific to an individual module or classroom. In South Africa, the University of the Free State has taken a leading role in adapting NSSE and conducting large-scale surveys at various institutions. Recently, the CLASSE was contextualised and a first pilot was conducted as part of a teaching and learning project on a small satellite campus of the institution. On this campus a group of staff members have formed a community of practice that works collaboratively to improve their professional skills and ultimately, student learning. The group members have studied and implemented various actions to improve student engagement in their classes. During May 2013, the adapted CLASSE was completed by students and group members who volunteered to participate in an evaluation of the student engagement in their modules. The results of the survey were found very valuable, in spite of the relatively low level of participation by students. CLASSE items in need of further adaptation were exposed. The participating lecturers found the results of great value as the CLASSE analyses clearly revealed areas in teaching and learning where student engagement needed attention. Overall, the project stimulated renewed interest in student engagement. The article also makes a contribution to the conceptualisation of the link between we-learning, student engagement and the use of educational technologies.