The Use of C.A.R.E. Method to Foster Students' Engagement and Motivation to Learn in an Online Undergraduate Accounting
Abstract
Academic staff members often face problems of student disengagement when teaching online. Disengaged students are usually not motivated to learn and have unsatisfactory academic achievement. Using Design-based research methodology, this study explained the use of C.A.R.E. (contextualisation, application, reflection and evaluation) method to teach an online undergraduate Accounting subject. The subject was a final Year subject of a three-year business degree programme. 86 students have attempted this subject. C.A.R.E. method was designed using situated learning theory. Contextualisation of content knowledge was achieved through a YouTube video series called 'Classroom in the World'. The videos showed the application of the content knowledge in a specific context. Application of the content knowledge was achieved through group discussions during online tutorial classes, using case study questions. Students were then asked to write reflective journals to reflect on their learning experience at the end of the semester. The final assessment task was an open-book case study, examining the application of the content knowledge in a business context. A review from the students' feedback at the end of the semester showed that the video series was helpful to engage, motivate and help them understand and apply the content knowledge to context. The average marks of the final assessment as well as data from learning analytics of two semesters were compared. There was a 13% increase in the average final assessment marks over the previous semester. Learning analytics showed a 29% increase in the weekly average page viewed and 61% increase in the weekly average number of participations. This study has demonstrated that C.A.R.E. method has helped foster student engagement, motivation to learn, and academic achievement. This study provides valuable insight into the application of C.A.R.E. method to support academic staff members to design online courses that are engaging and motivating to the students.
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