Using a volitional help sheet to increase university students' attendance at synchronous online lectures: A
Mark A Elliott1, Allan McGroarty1, David J Robertson1
1Department of Psychological Sciences and Health, University of Strathclyde, Glasgow, UK.
The British Journal of Educational Psychology
|November 28, 2023
Summary
A volitional help sheet (VHS) intervention effectively increased university students' lecture attendance and improved attendance maintenance over an 11-week semester. This strategy proved beneficial for academic engagement.
Area of Science:
- Psychology
- Educational Psychology
- Behavioral Science
Background:
- A volitional help sheet (VHS) is an intervention designed to foster implementation intentions.
- This research marks the first investigation into the efficacy of a VHS for enhancing university students' lecture attendance.
Purpose of the Study:
- To develop and evaluate a VHS intervention aimed at increasing university students' lecture attendance.
- To assess the VHS's effectiveness in improving the proportion and maintenance of lecture attendance throughout an 11-week semester.
Main Methods:
- 178 undergraduate psychology students were randomly assigned to either a VHS or an active control group.
- Pre-intervention data included self-reported goal intentions for lecture attendance and trait conscientiousness via online questionnaires.
- Lecture attendance was monitored for synchronous online lectures over the 11-week semester.
Main Results:
- Participants in the VHS group attended a higher proportion of lectures and sustained attendance longer than the control group.
- The positive effects of the VHS were independent of initial goal intentions, which were already high.
- Higher levels of trait conscientiousness amplified the positive impact of the VHS on lecture attendance.
Conclusions:
- Volitional help sheets (VHSs) are effective interventions for boosting and sustaining university students' lecture attendance.
- The study highlights the practical utility of VHSs in educational settings to improve student engagement and academic outcomes.
Keywords:
conscientiousnessgoal intentionimplementation intentionslecture attendancemaintenance of behaviourvolitional help sheetMore Related Videos
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