NATURALISTIC OBSERVATION OF ENGAGEMENT AND DISENGAGEMENT WITHIN PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT IN EDUCATION

Abstract

The purpose of this naturalistic observation study was to observe, in a natural setting, theactions of attendees at educational professional development conferences. In doing so, it washoped that numerous behaviors could be observed that would indicate a level or extent ofengagement or disengagement within presentations. It was found that the observed samplewas often communicating with others or looking around the room while the presentation wasunfolding. Fiddling with objects was common since arriving at a presentation takes time tosettle. Overall, the audience was mostly distracted and not engaged which would logicallydiminish the utility of the professional development.