Enhancing Student Engagement in Online Learning: An Exploration of Classroom Environment Dynamics

Abstract

This study assessed how students' engagement is influenced by the online classroom environment. The term ‘classroom environment' encompasses instructors, students, and peers, while ‘student engagement' includes four interrelated dimensions: cognitive, emotional, social, and behavioral engagement. A quantitative research approach was employed for this study. A multistage sampling method was used to select the appropriate sample. This sample comprised universities from various academic disciplines, including Management, Commerce, Humanities, Science, and Engineering, which were selected based on their rankings under the National Institutional Ranking Framework (NIRF). In total, 600 students completed a 41-item survey on the online classroom environment, as well as on cognitive, emotional, social, and behavioral engagement. The data obtained were analyzed using PLS-SEM. The findings reveal that strategies promoting engagement between students and instructors, as well as among peers, were highly valued in the online classroom environment.