A1 Refereed original research article in a scientific journal

Promoting university students' situational engagement in online learning for climate education




AuthorsVilhunen, Elisa; Vesterinen, Veli-Matti; Äijälä, Mikko; Salovaara, Janne; Siponen, Joula; Lavonen, Jari; Salmela-Aro, Katariina; Riuttanen, Laura

PublisherElsevier BV

Publication year2025

JournalInternet and Higher Education

Journal name in sourceThe Internet and Higher Education

Article number100987

Volume65

ISSN1096-7516

eISSN1873-5525

DOIhttps://doi.org/10.1016/j.iheduc.2024.100987

Web address http://doi.org/10.1016/j.iheduc.2024.100987

Self-archived copy’s web addresshttps://research.utu.fi/converis/portal/detail/Publication/470962216


Abstract

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”].


Last updated on 2025-27-01 at 19:50