STUDY GROUP SIZE, MOTIVATION AND ENGAGEMENT IN THE DIGITAL ERA

This study explored the relationship between the size of the study group and the motivation and engagement of students in online and face-to-face classes while exploring the effect of personal and academic background variables, the number of students in the study group, and the level of their motivation to study. The study included 122 participants, students in their second, third, or fourth year of academic studies, who had experienced online studies during Covid-19 as well as face-to-face studies. They had all participated in both small classes (35 students or less) and large classes (more than 35 students). The study indicates that there is indeed a significant difference in students’ motivation and engagement, irrespective of the size of the study group, and the difference in motivation depends on the method of delivery, whether online or traditional (face-to-face). The research results reveal new knowledge regarding online studies and help enrich the literature on this topic, in the context of motivation for online studies and the size of the study group, which are significant causes underlying students’ academic success. It is evident from the study that size does not affect motivation, which is solely the student’s responsibility. The challenge of academic institutions and lecturers in the digital era is to raise students’ motivation and engagement, irrespective of the study group. Keywords: covid-19, higher education, engagement of students, e-learning motivation, face-to-face classes