Exploring Interactive Pedagogy to Enhance Students’ Engagement in ECE in Southwest China

Lu Zhang

doi:10.14456/shserj.2025.37

Authors

Lu Zhang

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.14456/shserj.2025.37

CITATION

DOI: 10.14456/shserj.2025.37

Published: 2025-06-24

Keywords:

Learner-Content Interaction, Learner-Instructor Interaction, Learner-Learner Interaction, Students’ Emotional, Behavioural and Cognitive Engagement, Early Childhood Education

Abstract

Purpose: This study is to verify the significance between learner-content interaction, learner-instructor interaction, learner-learner interaction and students’ emotional, behavioural, and cognitive engagement in class. Research design, data and methodology: Index of Item-Objective Congruence (IOC) rating and a pilot test (n=30) were used for validity and reliability. 280 responses from ECE in an application-oriented private university in southwest China were analyzed by the multiple linear regression (MLR) to verify the significant relationship between variables and 6 teachers and 12 students were interviewed for offering suggestions to intervention process. Following this, a group of 40 students underwent a 12-week Intervention Design and Implementation (IDI). Afterwards, the results were compared using paired samples t-test before and after the intervention and the same 6 students were interviewed for feedback. Results: The results of MLR revealed that there were significant influences between learner-content interaction, learner-learner interaction and students’ emotional, behavioural and cognitive engagement, but not learner-instructor interaction. In addition, paired samples t-test results indicated significant changes in learner-content interaction, learner-learner interaction, and students' emotional, behavioural and cognitive engagement before and after the intervention. Conclusions: Although benefits and challenges coexist, interactive pedagogy is worth promoting as it enhances students’ learning effectiveness, emotional experiences, and overall development.

Author Biography

Lu Zhang

Assumption University.

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