Online Learning Engagement and Challenges
Source: Nature – Humanities and Social Sciences Communications
WARM-UP
Before reading the article below, reflect on and answer the questions.
Use complete sentences, provide logical reasoning, and support your ideas with examples when possible.
- In your opinion, what is the role of student engagement in effective online learning?
- What factors might make students more willing to participate actively in a live online class?
- How could increased engagement in online learning environments change the responsibilities of teachers?
KEY PHRASES (DISCOURSE-FOCUSED)
Study the key phrases below carefully.
Pay attention to the pronunciation, IPA, meaning, and synonyms.
Then relate each phrase to ideas in the article.
1. Synchronous online learning
Pronunciation: sin-KRON-us on-line LUR-ning
IPA: /ˈsɪŋ.krə.nəs ˈɒn.laɪn ˈlɜː.nɪŋ/
Meaning: real-time online teaching where students and instructors interact live
Synonyms: live online class, real-time virtual class
Example: Many educators report that synchronous online learning encourages more real-time questions from students.
Pronunciation: sin-KRON-us on-line LUR-ning
IPA: /ˈsɪŋ.krə.nəs ˈɒn.laɪn ˈlɜː.nɪŋ/
Meaning: real-time online teaching where students and instructors interact live
Synonyms: live online class, real-time virtual class
Example: Many educators report that synchronous online learning encourages more real-time questions from students.
2. Student engagement
Pronunciation: STOO-dnt en-GAYG-ment
IPA: /ˈstuː.dənt ɛnˈɡeɪdʒ.mənt/
Meaning: the active involvement and participation of learners in the learning process
Synonyms: student participation, learner involvement
Example: Research suggests that student engagement in online learning can affect academic performance and satisfaction.
Pronunciation: STOO-dnt en-GAYG-ment
IPA: /ˈstuː.dənt ɛnˈɡeɪdʒ.mənt/
Meaning: the active involvement and participation of learners in the learning process
Synonyms: student participation, learner involvement
Example: Research suggests that student engagement in online learning can affect academic performance and satisfaction.
3. Pedagogical adaptation
Pronunciation: ped-uh-GOJ-i-kul ad-ap-TAY-shun
IPA: /ˌpɛd.əˈɡɒdʒ.ɪ.kəl ˌæd.æpˈteɪ.ʃən/
Meaning: adjustments teachers make to their teaching methods for a new environment
Synonyms: teaching adjustment, instructional change
Example: Successful online instruction requires pedagogical adaptation to maintain engagement.
Pronunciation: ped-uh-GOJ-i-kul ad-ap-TAY-shun
IPA: /ˌpɛd.əˈɡɒdʒ.ɪ.kəl ˌæd.æpˈteɪ.ʃən/
Meaning: adjustments teachers make to their teaching methods for a new environment
Synonyms: teaching adjustment, instructional change
Example: Successful online instruction requires pedagogical adaptation to maintain engagement.
4. Emotional engagement
Pronunciation: ee-MOH-shun-ul en-GAYG-ment
IPA: /ɪˈmoʊ.ʃən.əl ɛnˈɡeɪdʒ.mənt/
Meaning: the degree to which students feel emotionally connected to their learning
Synonyms: emotional involvement, affective participation
Example: Emotional engagement plays a critical role in keeping students focused and motivated during online classes.
Pronunciation: ee-MOH-shun-ul en-GAYG-ment
IPA: /ɪˈmoʊ.ʃən.əl ɛnˈɡeɪdʒ.mənt/
Meaning: the degree to which students feel emotionally connected to their learning
Synonyms: emotional involvement, affective participation
Example: Emotional engagement plays a critical role in keeping students focused and motivated during online classes.
5. Technological mediation
Pronunciation: tek-nuh-LOJ-i-kul mee-dee-AY-shun
IPA: /tɛk.nəˈlɒdʒ.ɪ.kəl ˌmiː.diˈeɪ.ʃən/
Meaning: the use of technology to shape and facilitate teaching and learning
Synonyms: digital facilitation, tech-based interaction
Example: Technological mediation shapes how students interact with content and with one another online.
Pronunciation: tek-nuh-LOJ-i-kul mee-dee-AY-shun
IPA: /tɛk.nəˈlɒdʒ.ɪ.kəl ˌmiː.diˈeɪ.ʃən/
Meaning: the use of technology to shape and facilitate teaching and learning
Synonyms: digital facilitation, tech-based interaction
Example: Technological mediation shapes how students interact with content and with one another online.
ARTICLE
Read the article below carefully.
Focus on the main issue, supporting points, and the overall message.
Online Learning Engagement and Challenges
Recent research shows that online learning — especially live (synchronous) online classes —
may encourage greater engagement among students compared with traditional, in-person lessons.
In studies that involved surveys and interviews with university lecturers and students,
researchers observed that students participating in live online classes often asked more questions,
sought clarification more frequently, and shared opinions in small group discussions more readily
than they did in physical classrooms.
The findings suggest that the online environment can create opportunities for students to
participate more actively. However, this increased engagement also brings new challenges for educators.
Teachers must adjust their instructional methods and find ways to maintain high-quality interaction
in digital settings. In addition, technological barriers and differences in students’ access to
online tools can affect participation. Overall, while online learning offers opportunities to
boost student engagement, it requires careful design and teacher preparedness.
COMPREHENSION & ANALYSIS QUESTIONS
Answer the following questions based on the article.
Use your own words and refer to ideas from the text.
- What did researchers find about student engagement in synchronous online learning compared with traditional classroom learning?
- According to the article, how does the online environment affect student participation?
- What challenges do educators face when teaching live online classes?
- Why might technological issues influence student engagement?
- Based on the article, what is needed to support effective online teaching?
SPEAK UP — SITUATIONAL QUESTIONS
Respond to each situation below.
Explain your ideas clearly, considering real-world implications.
- As an online instructor, how would you design your lessons to maintain high student engagement?
- What strategies could schools use to support teachers in adapting to online teaching?
- If a student rarely participates in online discussions, how would you encourage them?
- How might online learning platforms be improved to better support real-time participation?
- What role do peer interactions play in student engagement in online classes?
SPEAK UP — IF QUESTIONS
Answer using conditional language.
Support your answers with possible outcomes or reasoning.
- If online engagement continues to grow, how might university teaching change in the next decade?
- If a school has limited technology resources, what alternatives could help increase engagement?
- If teachers receive more training in online pedagogy, how could this affect learning outcomes?
- If students were given more control over online class activities, what impact might this have on engagement?
- If live online classes become the norm, what skills should students develop to participate effectively?
MASTER TASK: SUMMARY, OPINION, SOLUTIONS
Complete all three tasks below.
Speak or write in an organized, academic manner.
- Summary:
Summarize the article’s key points in your own words. (Avoid direct copying.) - Opinion:
Do you agree that online learning can lead to higher student engagement than traditional classes? Explain why or why not. - Solutions / Suggestions:
Propose at least two concrete strategies that teachers or schools could use to improve engagement in online learning.