Impact of Digital Learning Platforms on Student Engagement in Higher Education

Abstract

The use of digital learning platforms has become a reality in the field of education, especially in higher education institutions, due to technological development. In the context of this study, the study will look at the effects of the digital learning platforms on engagement of learners in higher education institutions. Through Learning Management Systems (LMS), virtual classrooms, and interactive learning platforms, digital learning platforms have revolutionized the conventional way of teaching and learning by providing more flexible learning experiences. This research will focus on the impact of digital learning platforms on various forms of student engagement: Behavioral, Emotional and Cognitive. The research took a quantitative research design and the primary data for the research was obtained through the administration of structured questionnaires to the students of the higher education institutions. The results showed that the digital learning platforms have had a positive impact on student engagement. Learning using audio-visuals, online discussion and online assessment tasks engaged students more during the learning. However, there are some issues that arise with digital learning, including boredom, limited face-to-face interaction, and technical issues that can affect engagement. In this study, it is clear that although digital learning systems have a significant impact on the level of engagement, they rely heavily on their effective use. The study will offer valuable suggestions to enable stakeholders in higher education education to maximize the potential of digital learning technologies.

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