The relationship between learning engagement and learning outcomes in online learning in higher education: A meta-analysis study

Abstract

This study comprised a meta-analysis of the relationship between learning engagement and learning outcomes in online learning in higher education. The effect sizes of 175 samples were extracted from 34 eligible studies published from January 2010 to March 2022. First, the relationship between learning engagement and learning outcomes was g =.430, indicating a small-to-medium effect size. Although learning engagement has been reported as a strong indicator of learning outcomes in online learning, learning engagement showed a small-to-medium effect size. Second, there was no statistical difference among behavioral, cognitive, emotional, and general engagement in the effect sizes of the relationship between learning engagement and learning outcomes. Third, in terms of the type of learning domains, the effect size in the affective domain was larger than the cognitive and behavioral domains. Lastly, we found a large effect size for graduate students in the relationship between engagement and learning outcomes followed by undergraduates and adult learners.

Keywords:

• learning engagement
• learning outcomes
• online learning
• higher education
• meta-analysis

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was declared by the author(s).

Data availability statement

The data used and/or analyzed in the study are available from the corresponding author upon request.

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Min Young Doo

Min Young Doo is an assistant professor in the Department of Education in the College of Education at Kangwon National University, Korea. Her research interests include instructional design, online learning, flipped learning, and human resource development. She can be reached at [email protected].

Jungwon Kim

Jungwon Kim is a research professor in the Research Institute for HRD policy at Korea University in Seoul, Korea. Her primary research area is Human Resource Development, including Women career development and Lifelong education.