There were quite a few theoretical frameworks I was considering. At first, I was considering Community of Inquiry (CoI) as it was one that I was familiar/comfortable with but after discussions with Professor Deborah Zornes and my colleague Alisha Hadley, it became clear that the research questions and literature were pointing me in a different direction. I understood that due to the pivot in my research questions/context, Engagement Theory might be a better choice. This two-decade-old concept relates to Education Technology. Greg Kearsley and Ben Schneiderman introduced and developed it in 1999. The main principle of Engagement Theory highlights students being meaningfully engaged in learning action through collaboration with others and meaningful tasks. This framework is for technology-based teaching and learning processes. Kearsley and Schneiderman posited that technology can be used to facilitate engagement in ways that might be challenging to achieve by other means. This theory promotes collaborative, project-based learning, and has a focus that has meaning outside of the learning itself (Kearsley,2002).
- Relate: Learning through collaboration with others.
- Create: Adopting a project-based approach towards learning.
- Donate Learning using an outside focus.
My research will focus on faculty engagement in post-secondary polytechnic universities in Canada. Specifically, how faculty can engage with and adopt technology in meaningful ways therefore promoting student engagement in digital learning environments (DLE).
Some questions that I have and will have to investigate further are:
- What methods and models do polytechnics currently employ for its faculty?
- What are some of the challenges Canadian polytechnic faculty are currently facing with technology adoption?
- How might Engagement Theory be used for faculty in a polytechnic university in Canada?
References
Kearsley, G., & Shneiderman, B. Engagement Theory: A framework for technology-based teaching and learning. Retrieved July 2002, from http://home.sprynet.com/~gkearsley/engage.htm
November 29, 2022
Hi Sam,
Great post and theoretical framework! I look forward to learning more about your research; it sounds really interesting. I am curious to know how you have defined “meaningful ways” in your research question. How would that be measured?
Look forward to hearing more as you continue to research.
November 30, 2022
Hi Gail,
Thank you for your comment. That is a great question. To be honest, I am not sure yet. It is definitely something I need to think about.
Sam
November 30, 2022
Hi Sam, I definitely share the sentiment of starting with one idea and pivoting as we reflect and read more. I think your journey so far has brought you to a great theoretical framework to jump from in your context. Have you encountered any current methods or models that conflict or align well with Engagement Theory yet? Do you think polytechnic institutions have some specific characteristics that really differentiate them from other post-secondary institutions? I’d love to hear your thoughts! Cheers, Zac
December 2, 2022
Hi Zac, thank you for your comment and that is a great question. To be honest, I am really just trying to orient myself right now through the literature. So far, I have been having a difficult time finding lit that addresses polytechnic universities in Canada. I am wondering if I have made my scope too narrow. I am not giving up yet.
Sam
November 30, 2022
Hi Sam, great post! I think that the theoretical framework you chose makes perfect sense for your research topic. I am interested in finding out how this framework promotes collaborative and project-based learning in the context you will use for your research project. I look forward to continue learning with and from you!
December 2, 2022
Thank you, Luis! I have read one article that was interesting. It was an example of Engagement Theory, in transnational education. I will try to find it and send it to you. I look forward to learning more with you! Can you believe fast the time has gone and how much we have learned? It’s incredible, isn’t it?
Sam