Sensory activation at a distance Evaluating multisensory exercises and examinations as a means to increase student engagement online

Abstract

Purpose: This study aims to critically evaluate and analyze the integration of multisensory learning activities in online teaching from a student engagement perspective. Analyzing a case study in art history, it endeavors to contribute to the understanding of sensory activation as means to increase student engagement in online teaching. Theory: A framework of student engagement theory and collaborative learning was used, from the Student Engagement Model (Dixson, 2010, 2015; Handelsman et al., 2005) and the Community of Inquiry framework (Garrison, 2017; Garrison et al., 2000, 2010). Method: A mixed methods approach was used, combining quantitative descriptive statistics and qualitative thematic analysis. Results: Results show that sensory engagement is effective to increase student engagement online, and contributes to perceived presence, and collaborative learning. Sensory activation entails variation and interaction, but also stimulate new ways to experience the world, and subsequently new ways of thinking.