Presented By: Séverine Parent

Summary:

Numerous studies confirm that motivation is a necessary condition for learning for all students. Motivation, along with effective learning strategies, is one of the most important elements to consider in explaining academic success. However, we posit that motivation is the force that drives a person to take the first step towards action, while engagement is what propels, leading to the second step and subsequent ones. To appreciate the fluctuating nature of engagement, we will present the barometer questionnaire method. While the method has proven itself in many fields, it is underutilized in education. Yet, it appears to be an interesting avenue for studying phenomena that fluctuate, such as engagement in learning. To appreciate the method, examples of using the barometer questionnaire will be presented: during data collection in an educational research project, to enhance processes in a working group, and finally, to gauge student engagement in the classroom.

Biography:

Séverine Parent is a professor of educational technology and digital literacy at the Université du Québec à Rimouski (UQAR). She teaches courses on integrating information and communication technologies to future teachers, both in-person and remotely. In her teaching practice, she is interested in revitalizing learning spaces, particularly through active pedagogy and activity in creative environments. Her research areas include educational technologies, including the development of digital competence (CNIO Project and LaVIE Project), and the variation of engagement in innovative contexts.