A new ML-based approach to enhance student engagement in online environment

PLoS One. 2021 Nov 10;16(11):e0258788. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0258788. eCollection 2021.

Abstract

The educational research is increasingly emphasizing the potential of student engagement and its impact on performance, retention and persistence. This construct has emerged as an important paradigm in the higher education field for many decades. However, evaluating and predicting the student's engagement level in an online environment remains a challenge. The purpose of this study is to suggest an intelligent predictive system that predicts the student's engagement level and then provides the students with feedback to enhance their motivation and dedication. Three categories of students are defined depending on their engagement level (Not Engaged, Passively Engaged, and Actively Engaged). We applied three different machine-learning algorithms, namely Decision Tree, Support Vector Machine and Artificial Neural Network, to students' activities recorded in Learning Management System reports. The results demonstrate that machine learning algorithms could predict the student's engagement level. In addition, according to the performance metrics of the different algorithms, the Artificial Neural Network has a greater accuracy rate (85%) compared to the Support Vector Machine (80%) and Decision Tree (75%) classification techniques. Based on these results, the intelligent predictive system sends feedback to the students and alerts the instructor once a student's engagement level decreases. The instructor can identify the students' difficulties during the course and motivate them through e-mail reminders, course messages, or scheduling an online meeting.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Education, Distance / methods*
  • Electronic Mail
  • Feedback, Psychological
  • Humans
  • Motivation*
  • Neural Networks, Computer*
  • Problem Solving
  • Problem-Based Learning / methods
  • Students / psychology*
  • Support Vector Machine*
  • Text Messaging
  • Universities
  • Videoconferencing

Grants and funding

The authors extend their appreciation to the Deputyship for Research & Innovation, Ministry of Education in Saudi Arabia for funding this research work through the project number PNU-DRI-RI-20-002.