Using LectureTools to enhance student–instructor relations and student engagement in the large class

Abstract

Positive student–instructor relationships are important for student engagement, motivation, retention and achievement. Yet, as class sizes grow, these relationships can be increasingly difficult to develop. This study explores LectureTools – a web-based student response and learning platform that facilitates communication between instructors and students – as a possible solution to this issue by analysing survey data collected from students in a second-year communication class at a large Canadian university. This study builds on previous evidence that using LectureTools results in an increase in student engagement, attentiveness and level of learning, while expanding on this work to include the concept of student instructor relationships. Ultimately, the functionality of LectureTools was found to facilitate the development of student–instructor relationships in the large class while also enhancing student engagement. Keywords: pedagogical design; undergraduate; mixed method; e-learning; technology (Published: 11 November 2015) Citation: Research in Learning Technology 2015, 23 : 27197 - http://dx.doi.org/10.3402/rlt.v23.27197