Does Feedback on Talk Time Increase Student Engagement? Evidence from a Randomized Controlled Trial on a Math Tutoring Platform. EdWorkingPaper No. 23-891

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Bibliographic Details
Title: Does Feedback on Talk Time Increase Student Engagement? Evidence from a Randomized Controlled Trial on a Math Tutoring Platform. EdWorkingPaper No. 23-891
Language: English
Authors: Dorottya Demszky, Rose Wang, Sean Geraghty, Carol Yu
Source: Annenberg Institute for School Reform at Brown University. 2023.
Availability: Annenberg Institute for School Reform at Brown University. Brown University Box 1985, Providence, RI 02912. Tel: 401-863-7990; Fax: 401-863-1290; e-mail: AISR_Info@brown.edu; Web site: http://www.annenberginstitute.org
Peer Reviewed: N
Page Count: 22
Publication Date: 2023
Document Type: Reports - Research
Tests/Questionnaires
Education Level: Elementary Education
Secondary Education
Elementary Secondary Education
Descriptors: Elementary Secondary Education, Students, Teachers, Feedback (Response), Classroom Communication, Teacher Student Relationship, Learner Engagement, Mathematics Instruction, Tutoring, Tutors, Cognitive Processes, Student Motivation, Extraversion Introversion, Abstract Reasoning, Thinking Skills, Computer Mediated Communication
Abstract: Providing ample opportunities for students to express their thinking is pivotal to their learning of mathematical concepts. We introduce the Talk Meter, which provides in-the-moment automated feedback on student-teacher talk ratios. We conduct a randomized controlled trial on a virtual math tutoring platform (n=742 tutors) to evaluate the effectiveness of the Talk Meter at increasing student talk. In one treatment arm, we show the Talk Meter only to the tutor, while in the other arm we show it to both the student and the tutor. We find that the Talk Meter increases student talk ratios in both treatment conditions by 13-14%; this trend is driven by the tutor talking less in the tutor-facing condition, whereas in the student-facing condition it is driven by the student expressing significantly more mathematical thinking. Through interviews with tutors, we find the student-facing Talk Meter was more motivating to students, especially those with introverted personalities, and was effective at encouraging joint effort towards balanced talk time. These results demonstrate the promise of in-the-moment joint talk time feedback to both teachers and students as a low cost, engaging, and scalable way to increase students' mathematical reasoning.
Abstractor: As Provided
Entry Date: 2024
Accession Number: ED638947
Database: ERIC
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