Students' Perceptions and Expectations About Engagement Strategies in Online Courses: A Mixed-Methods Study

• In Event: AERA Roundtable Session 11
  In Roundtable Session: Engaging Online Learners

Abstract

Engagement strategies play a crucial role in ensuring engaged and high-quality online learning experiences. In this QUAN -> qual mixed methods study, we examined online students’ perceptions and explored their expectations and experiences regarding online engagement and engagement strategies, using a survey and qualitative interviews. Our findings indicated that instructor engagement strategies were perceived as the most important strategies to be employed in online courses, while peer engagement strategies were viewed as the least important. In support of prior research, our study demonstrates the importance of the instructor in online courses and offers theoretical implications for online student engagement and practical implications for instructors, instructional designers, and other stakeholders in online education.

Authors

• Murat Turk, The University of Oklahoma

• Sinem Toraman, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center

• Ali Ceyhun Muftuoglu, University of Oklahoma

• Ozlem Karakaya, Iowa State University

• Kadir Karakaya, Iowa State University