This image appeared on the RSS feed. It’s from the Inflatable Crowd Company who create blow up extras (in the hundreds) for movies.
It got me thinking about the issue of attendance vs engagement, and the commonly held belief that increased attendance results in better marks. You would think as research establishments we would have a better handle on the notion of cause and effect.
Basically, engaged students do the work, read the texts and attend lectures – and get better marks. Disengaged students don’t do the work, don’t show up and don’t do well. Engagement is the key to improving outcomes, attendance is a symptom. The issue is further clouded as students increasingly feel the need (for whatever reason) to engage in part time work (15 hours/week average in 2002) .
Most of the research shows that incentive programs aimed at improving attendance (without changing the teaching) don’t really impact on grades. In effect, we could achieve much the same result with a quick call to the Inflatable Crowd Company.