Work in progress — Student learning as a function of attendance in large engineering classes

This study documents an alternative for freshman engineering students to attending a large lecture in their introductory engineering course. In the fall semester students are required to be physically present in lecture. In the spring semester students are given the option of either being physically present, when the lecture is given, or viewing the recorded lecture. Attendance is recorded in the lecture with an iClicker™. Students, who choose to not attend lecture can access the recording on Blackboard™ during the same week the lecture is given. The study compares student performance on first semester midterm exam grades with student performance on second semester midterm exam grades. It is seen that students, as a group, tend to achieve the same midterm grade whether they attend the lecture, when it is given, or not. Lecture assignment completion rates are also compared to lecture attendance. Suggestions for further study are given.