Exploring the effect of online learners’ academic self-concepts on student engagement

Abstract

The present study intends to evaluate the degree to which online university students’ academic self-perceptions predict variations in student engagement. The relational screening method was employed in this research. Data were collected from a total of 653 university students, 113 male and 539 female. The Student Engagement Scale (SES) and the Matovu Academic Self-concept Scale (ASCS) were utilised. Stepwise regression data analyses were conducted. Based on the results that the study yielded, it was observed that ASC had a high level of impact on student engagement, the levels of which varied across different factors of engagement. Academic effort and academic confidence variables accounted for 44% of the variance in behavioural engagement and showed a high positive relationship, while accounting for 33% of cognitive engagement with a moderate level of positive relationship. However, only academic effort was found to have a relationship with affective engagement, which was at a moderate level, accounting for 17% of the variance. Academic effort is relation with all student engagement factors. However, while academic confidence is only relation with behavioural and cognitive engagement, it is not relation with affective engagement. As a result, positively influencing student engagement in online learning environments will lead to positive changes in students' academic self-concept.