Developing and automating a prototype for assessing levels of student involvement

Abstract

The proposed project objective is to develop and automate a methodological technology for objectively measuring a student's affective states, cognitive states and levels of involvement during computer-mediated instruction. Passive devices will record gaze activity, facial expressions and body motions while students are doing computer mediate instruction. From these measurements, a sensor fusion classification algorithm will be developed to provide an automated assessment of affective states, cognitive states and levels of involvement of the student. This automated assessment system will be validated using student interviews and rater observations. The system will provide detailed categorized information never before available to researchers. For the instructor, a large class could be equipped and assessed in real-time so that an instructor can appropriately focus attention to improve the learning environment or for student evaluation during instruction and for self-evaluation of instructional strategies after instruction. © 2011 Springer-Verlag.