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Published on: September 27, 2020
Using implicit psychological mechanisms to predict student success in digital higher education
Clemens Klinke1, Marc Schipper2, Annica Paul-Poudevigne3
1Department of Psychology and Pedagogy, APOLLON University of Health Management, Bremen, Germany; University of Bremen.
Implicit psychological processes predict student success in digital higher education (DHE). A simple cognitive test accurately identifies students at risk of dropping out, offering insights into DHE engagement and persistence.
Area of Science:
- Psychology
- Educational Technology
- Higher Education Studies
Background:
- Implicit academic attitudes predict success in traditional education.
- Limited research exists on implicit psychological processes in digital higher education (DHE).
- Student success in DHE requires understanding engagement and persistence.
Purpose of the Study:
- Investigate implicit psychological processes in DHE student success.
- Predict student engagement and persistence using Implicit Association Tests (IATs).
- Examine the role of implicit and explicit academic identification and attitude.
Main Methods:
- Longitudinal study over six months with a large student sample.
- Two Implicit Association Tests (IATs): Attitude-IAT (study + good) and Identification-IAT (study + me).
- Logistic regression and correlation analyses to predict engagement (exam completion) and persistence (dropout).
Main Results:
- Attitude-IAT significantly predicted engagement (exam completion).
- Identification-IAT correlated with factors indirectly related to persistence (educational background, self-efficacy, identification).
- Attitude-IAT's predictive effect remained significant even after controlling for explicit measures.
Conclusions:
- Student success in DHE is predictable using simple cognitive tests measuring implicit attitudes.
- IATs can be a valuable tool for identifying at-risk students in DHE.
- Findings enhance understanding of student motivation and success in digital learning environments.
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