English

Is Log-Traced Engagement Enough? Extending Reading Analytics With Trait-Level Flow and Reading Strategy Metrics

Computers and Society 2026-02-24 v1

Abstract

Student engagement is a central construct in Learning Analytics, yet it is often operationalized through persistence indicators derived from logs, overlooking affective-cognitive states. Focusing on the analysis of reading logs, this study examines how trait-level flow - operationalized as the tendency to experience Deep Effortless Concentration (DEC) - and traces of reading strategies derived from e-book interaction data can extend traditional engagement indicators in explaining learning outcomes. We collected data from 100 students across two engineering courses, combining questionnaire measures of DEC with fine-grained reading logs. Correlation and regression analyses show that (1) DEC and traces of reading strategies explain substantial additional variance in grades beyond log-traced engagement ({\Delta}R2 = 21.3% over the baseline 25.5%), and (2) DEC moderates the relationship between reading behaviors and outcomes, indicating trait-sensitive differences in how log-derived indicators translate into performance. These findings suggest that, to support more equitable and personalized interventions, the analysis of reading logs should move beyond a one-size-fits-all interpretation and integrate personal traits with metrics that include behavioral and strategic measures of reading.

Keywords

Cite

@article{arxiv.2602.19616,
  title  = {Is Log-Traced Engagement Enough? Extending Reading Analytics With Trait-Level Flow and Reading Strategy Metrics},
  author = {Erwin Lopez and Atsushi Shimada},
  journal= {arXiv preprint arXiv:2602.19616},
  year   = {2026}
}

Comments

17 pages. This version has been accepted for presentation at LAK'26, and all peer-reviewed changes have been incorporated

R2 v1 2026-07-01T10:47:03.241Z