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Flow Theory and Engagement: Observing Engagement through the Lens of Flow in a Middle School Integrated Maker Space

Zollars, Jeffrey (2018) Flow Theory and Engagement: Observing Engagement through the Lens of Flow in a Middle School Integrated Maker Space. Doctoral Dissertation, University of Pittsburgh. (Unpublished)

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Abstract

The purpose of this study was to explore engagement as it occurred in the sample of middle school
aged students situated in a learning environment of a Western Pennsylvania public school with an
integrated Maker Space. This study was embedded within a larger two-year NSF study Making
Success: Researching a School District’s Integration of the Maker Movement into its Middle and
High School conducted by the University of Pittsburgh’s Collaborative for Evaluation and
Assessment Capacity (CEAC). Flow theory, also called optimal experience theory first introduced
in 1975 by Mikhail Csikszentmihalyi, played a critical role in this study. The importance of this
study can be framed in the context of increasing the understanding of how students are engaged in
learning within a Maker Space that is situated within a traditionally structured educational setting.
This research explored student engagement from the student perspective as observed through the
lens of flow theory. Flow Theory also informed the development of the research questions
Evidence included data gathered to observe for presence of the nine components of flow (balance
of challenges and skills, merging of action and awareness, clear goals, clear feedback, intense
focus, paradox of control, loss of self-consciousness, autotelic experience, and loss of time).


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Details

Item Type: University of Pittsburgh ETD
Status: Unpublished
Creators/Authors:
CreatorsEmailPitt UsernameORCID
Zollars, Jeffreyjtz11@pitt.edu
ETD Committee:
TitleMemberEmail AddressPitt UsernameORCID
Thesis AdvisorTananis, Cynthiatananis@pitt.edutananis
Committee MemberLongo, R. Gerardlongoj@pitt.edulongoj
Committee MemberShafiq, Najeebmnshafiq@pitt.edumnshafiq
Committee MemberFertman, Carlcarl@pitt.educarl
Trahan, Keithkwt2@pitt.edukwt2
Date: 30 January 2018
Date Type: Publication
Defense Date: 25 October 2017
Approval Date: 30 January 2018
Submission Date: 28 December 2017
Access Restriction: No restriction; Release the ETD for access worldwide immediately.
Number of Pages: 161
Institution: University of Pittsburgh
Schools and Programs: School of Education > Administrative and Policy Studies
Degree: EdD - Doctor of Education
Thesis Type: Doctoral Dissertation
Refereed: Yes
Uncontrolled Keywords: NSF National Science Foundation Making
Date Deposited: 30 Jan 2018 17:29
Last Modified: 30 Jan 2018 17:29
URI: http://d-scholarship.pitt.edu/id/eprint/33700

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