Learner Engagement in Online and In-Person Instruction: An Exploration of Question-Asking Behaviors in Academic Library Workshops

abstract: This study explores participant engagement in online and in-person library workshops by examining question-asking behaviors. Workshops included in the study were part of an academic library graduate workshop series designed for a multi-disciplinary audience of graduate students and faculty. The authors gathered data from 127 participants who asked a total of 357 questions during 20 workshop sessions that were offered in both online and in-person formats. The questions were classified according to the types of questions asked. The results showed that participants are engaged in both in-person and online workshop modalities, and there was no significant difference in the overall number of questions asked or question types. The authors conclude by offering pedagogical recommendations for enhancing behavioral, cognitive, and emotional engagement in both online and in-person settings.