Student emotions and online class engagement in the time of pandemic

Abstract

In response to COVID-19 pandemic, universities around the world have been forced to shift to online study. The abrupt shift towards online learning compounded by social isolation and reduced interactions with teachers and peers may have taken a toll on students' emotions affecting their engagement. This study examined how positive and negative emotions influence online student engagement (OSE) in the time of pandemic. Quantitative research was conducted using an online survey that was administered to undergraduate students at a private university in East Malaysia, of which 207 have responded. The findings revealed that enjoyment and frustration influenced significantly and positively online student engagement. Conversely, anxiety and boredom are negatively related to online student engagement. This study improves understanding of students' academic emotions and their online engagement. It helps higher education administrators and policymakers to explore the influential effects of students' emotions on facilitating students' online engagement.