Finnish vocational education and training (VET) students’ perceptions of the joy of studying in an online learning environment

We examined the perceptions of students in Finnish vocational education and training (VET) institutions about the joy of studying in online learning environments. The data consisted of 290 students’ answers to a survey and a thematic interview with eight students. The phenomenographic analysis revealed students’ experiences of joy in practical learning using digital programmes, independent learning online, collaborative learning online, and working life-oriented online learning. Students experienced the joy of studying when the teacher was positive, supportive, and interested in the subject being taught and treated all students equally. Some students experienced the joy of studying when they could study with others, while others experienced joy alone, regardless of time and place. The research contributed a profound understanding of the joy of learning in different online learning environments, which helps develop teaching and learning in VET in a student-centred manner