Student Engagement in Video Case Based Undergraduate Business Teaching

Abstract

This paper describes a long term project using bespoke video case studies designed and produced as the basis (variously) for formative in-class and on-line forum activity and assessment of group coursework and via case based exam.

The research sought to observe student engagement behaviours when faced with innovative teaching methods using: observation, data collection on student interactions with the videos and focus groups.

On the key question of learning development the findings are unimpressive.  Although different features were used in the teaching and assessment over the period of the study, and it is difficult to separate the effects of each, it remains that the overall quality of student work remained significantly unchanged.

However, student satisfaction with the module remained high and qualitative comments and focus group discussions underpinned the behavioural and emotional engagement that the videos were designed to foster.

In a complex area, with numerous potential factors affecting student learning behaviour the findings are, at best, tentative.  However, student ability to cope with and master new techniques was illustrated.