TEACHER PERCEPTION OF STUDENT ENGAGEMENT

January 30, 2023

Institutional Review Board
IRB c/o Dr. Mohamed Al Zarooni
American University of Ras Al Khaimah
Ras Al Khaimah Road

Dear Dr. Al Zarooni,

My name is Khilola Alahon and I am a Graduate student in the Master of Education Program in the
School of Arts and Sciences. I am submitting the following research proposal for review by the
American University of Ras Al Khaimah Institutional Review Board, entitled “Teacher’s Perception
of the Relationship between the Use of Technology and Active Learning Strategies and Student
Engagement”.
I will serve as the Principal Investigator, with my faculty advisor, Dr. Sharon Waller, serving as the
Co-Investigator. This correlational study will and examine the teacher’s perceptions of the
relationship between the use of technology and active learning strategies and student engagement.
The research will be a convenience sample, limited to high school teachers in a private school in
Fujairah, United Arab Emirates.
The following supporting documentation is attached to this IRB application: (1) research proposal
abstract on page 2; (2) research questions on page 3; (3) data collection instrumentation on page 5;(4)
questionnaire protocol on page 6.
Thank you for your attention and consideration. I will be happy to provide further information as
requested or you may contact me at 0522818096 or khilola.alihon@aurak.ae.au

Respectfully,
Khilola Alihon,
2021005221

Master of Education in Educational Leadership Program

School of Arts and Sciences
American University of Ras al Khaimah
TEACHER PERCEPTION OF STUDENT ENGAGEMENT
2

Abstract

The post-COVID learning environment has presented new challenges for student

engagement, including lack of motivation, social interaction, and self-efficacy. Teachers'

expectations and perceptions may play a significant role in influencing students' engagement

levels and ultimately their academic performance. Studies have shown that there is a

correlation between student engagement and student achievement. The purpose of the present

study is to examine the perceptions teachers have regarding the use of technology and active

learning strategies and student engagement. Engagement gap in post-COVID environments,

identify factors that influence student engagement, and explore the role of technology in

enhancing student engagement. It is acknowledged that teacher expectations and perceptions

can have a positive or negative impact on student engagement and achievement, and the self-

fulfilling prophecy effect is noted as one way in which teacher expectations can change

student behavior. The research question being addressed is the importance of active learning

and technology in enhancing student engagement in the learning environment.

TEACHER PERCEPTION OF STUDENT ENGAGEMENT
3

Research questions

This analytical investigation aimed to gather data that demonstrates many post-pandemic

aspects, reasons, and effects in the area of education, particularly in engaging high school

students in a learning environment. Student engagement remains important to learning and

achievement, and it’s likely that teachers will need to find new ways to motivate and engage

their students.

this study's conceptual framework considered the knowledge, motivation, and other elements

that affect the gap that currently exists in the post-COVID learning environment.

Basically, the following were the research topics that this study aimed to answer:

Q1: Does a relationship exist between high school students' engagement and teachers'

use of technology in the learning environment?

Q2: Does a relationship exist between high school students' engagement and teachers'

use of active learning in the classroom?

There are several hypotheses that can be formed to investigate how the use of technology

affects student participation among high school students.

Hypothesis 1: High school students' engagement will be positively correlated with teachers'

use of technology in the classroom.

This hypothesis is based on the idea that technology can provide students with interactive and

engaging ways to participate in the classroom, such as through online discussions, group

work, and interactive activities, which in turn will increase engagement.

TEACHER PERCEPTION OF STUDENT ENGAGEMENT
4

Hypothesis 2: Active learning will increase student participation among high school students.

This hypothesis is based on the idea that active learning strategies, such as group work,

hands-on activities, and discussions, provide students with opportunities to actively engage in

the learning process, leading to greater participation and job satisfaction.

TEACHER PERCEPTION OF STUDENT ENGAGEMENT
5

Study Instrumentation

This study will utilize a quantitative method, correlational approach with data to be collected.

A quantitative questionnaire with randomly sampled participants who meet the criteria of this

study. As such, the following tools are included for review to understand the perceptions

teachers have of the use of technology and active learning strategies in relationship to student

engagement. The study will be conducted in private schools in Fujairah.

Sampling Criteria

1. Structured questionnaire:

A questionnaire: The questionnaire will be used to gather information from a significant

number of participants in a relatively short amount of time. The participants will be asked to

complete the questionnaire via technology.

a. Target group: all high school teachers in Fujairah private schools.

b. Convenience sampling techniques in which participants are selected based on non-

random criteria.
TEACHER PERCEPTION OF STUDENT ENGAGEMENT
6

Questionnaire Protocol

The purpose of this survey is to understand how high school students are engaging with their
education in a post-Covid learning environment, with a focus on identifying any gaps in
engagement and understanding the factors that may be contributing to these gaps. The survey
will be administered to high school students in grades 9-12 who are currently enrolled in
Fujairah private schools. All information provided will be strictly confidential and will be
used for research purposes only.
Thank you, in advance, for your help in gaining information about student’s learning loss.

Arabic version _____________________________________________________________

Instructions: Kindly read each sentence carefully and select your response.
‫ يرجى قـراءة كل جملـة بعنايـة واختيـار إجابتـك‬:‫التعليمـات‬.
Participant’s Background Information ‫ ـة‬/‫البيانات الخاصة بالمشارك‬

3- Educational level? 3- ‫المستوى التعليمي؟‬

 Bachelor/ ‫بكالوريوس‬  Post-Graduate Diploma /  Master’s Degree

4- Years of teaching experience?

 <5 years  6-10 years  11-15 years  16-20 years  > 20 years

Please indicate your level of agreement with each of the following statements, based on the
following scale:
‫ تبعًا للمقيــــاس الَّتالي‬،‫وفيمــا يلــي نص االستبانة التي ُتبين من خاللها مدى موافقتـــك مع العبـــــارات الَّتالية‬:
SA A D SD
Strongly Agree Agree Disagree Strongly Disagree
‫راٍض جدًا‬ ‫راٍض‬ ‫غير راٍض‬ ‫غير راٍض أبدًا‬
 TEACHER PERCEPTION OF STUDENT ENGAGEMENT
7

Use of Technology
Points SA A D SD ‫العناصر‬
I use technology to support my classroom
instruction.
The Post-Covid environment has increased
the importance of the use of technology to
support learning.
Learning in the Post-Covid environment
requires the use of technology for student
engagement.
I am comfortable using multiple forms of
technology in my classroom instruction.
The use of technology in my classroom
instruction positively impacts my ability to
effectively teach my students.
I use multiple forms of technology to support
my classroom instruction more than twice a
week.
The use of technology in my classroom
instruction requires my extra effort in
planning.
My students are more engaged in the learning
process when I use technology to support my
instruction.
Students are more engaged in mastering
subject content when I use technology in my
instruction.
I feel the use of technology in my classroom
is worth the instructor’s effort.
The school emphasizes the use of technology
in instruction to increase student engagement.
The school provides professional
development to support teachers’ use of
technology in the classroom.

Active Learning
Points SA A D SD ‫العناصر‬
I use active learning strategies to engage my
students in class material.
Student engagement increases when I utilize
group work in my classroom instruction.
 TEACHER PERCEPTION OF STUDENT ENGAGEMENT
8

Student engagement increases when I utilize

hands-on (experiential) learning in my class.

The Post-Covid environment has increased

the need for the use of active learning
strategies to engage students in the learning
process.
I use active learning strategies more than
twice a week in my classroom instruction.
Student engagement increases when I utilize
student discussions in my classroom
instruction.
Active learning strategies improve my
students’ mastery of the curriculum.
Student motivation to learn increases with the
use of active learning strategies.
My classroom management is challenged
when I use active learning strategies in my
classroom.
The use of active learning strategies
contributes to student development of critical
thinking skills.
My school emphasizes the use of active
learning strategies to engage student learning.
My school provides professional development
to support teachers’ use of active learning
strategies in the classroom to increase student
engagement.