Title: Student emotions and online class engagement in the time of pandemic

Authors: Fayrene Chieng; Fidella Tiew; Wendy Law; Lynn Yew Hua Ling

Addresses: Curtin University Malaysia, CDT 250, 98009, Miri, Sarawak, Malaysia ' Curtin University Malaysia, CDT 250, 98009, Miri, Sarawak, Malaysia ' Curtin University Malaysia, CDT 250, 98009, Miri, Sarawak, Malaysia ' Curtin University Malaysia, CDT 250, 98009, Miri, Sarawak, Malaysia

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.

Keywords: academic emotions; online student engagement; OSE; higher education; pandemic; Sarawak.

DOI: 10.1504/IJIL.2023.131199

International Journal of Innovation and Learning, 2023 Vol.33 No.4, pp.443 - 457

Received: 11 Feb 2022
Accepted: 06 May 2022
Published online: 01 Jun 2023 *

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