A1 Refereed original research article in a scientific journal
Promoting university students' situational engagement in online learning for climate education
Authors: Vilhunen, Elisa; Vesterinen, Veli-Matti; Äijälä, Mikko; Salovaara, Janne; Siponen, Joula; Lavonen, Jari; Salmela-Aro, Katariina; Riuttanen, Laura
Publisher: Elsevier BV
Publication year: 2025
Journal: Internet and Higher Education
Journal name in source: The Internet and Higher Education
Article number: 100987
Volume: 65
ISSN: 1096-7516
eISSN: 1873-5525
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.iheduc.2024.100987
Web address : http://doi.org/10.1016/j.iheduc.2024.100987
Self-archived copy’s web address: https://research.utu.fi/converis/portal/detail/Publication/470962216
Disengagement in online learning is known to pose a risk to student learning and wellbeing. In this paper, we first introduce the development and implementation process of a set of online university climate education courses aimed at enhancing student situational engagement through diverse learning activities. Second, engagement (conceptualized here as the co-occurrence of interest, skill, and challenge, i.e., optimal learning moments), and activities during the online courses were examined through ecological momentary assessment, and the relationship between them was investigated through two-level regression models. The results showed that the students were likely to experience optimal learning moments when they were formulating problems and ideating alternatives or designing solutions. Formulating problems and ideating alternatives can promote a student sense of competence, and by designing solutions, students can work with adequately challenging learning tasks. Thus, by implementing such activities in (online) teaching and learning, educators can contribute positively to student engagement.
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Funding information in the publication:
This work was supported by the Research Council of Finland [grant number 340791, PI Markku Kulmala, and grant number 340794, PI Katariina Salmela-Aro, “Learning of the competencies of effective climate change mitigation and adaptation in the education system (ClimComp)”; and, grant number 336138, PI Katariina Salmela-Aro; “TeensGoGreen”].