The Implementation of Online Blended Learning Best Practice within Hospitality Higher Education - Impacts on Student Engagement
Abstract
In the hospitality higher education sector, there is a significant gap in research on how student engagement is effectively measured within online blended learning contexts. Existing approaches do not capture the nuanced behaviours, motivations and contextual factors that shape authentic student participation. This research responds to the gap in the literature as it explores and measures the impact of student engagement when implementing online blended learning best practices, using Redmond’s Online Engagement Framework (2018) within hospitality higher education. The research investigates how applying best practice online engagement techniques, including cognitive, emotional, behavioural, social, and collaborative engagement, impacts student motivation to participate and engage in an effective learning environment within an online hospitality higher education module. The research also looks to inform and establish an improved online pedagogical practice within hospitality higher education that can be implemented within other institutions.
Using a mixed-methods approach, data was gathered and analysed using thematic content analysis from a small hospitality student cohort using Redmond's framework, which included learner logs, focus group interviews, discussion forums, Canvas LMS data analytics and student surveys. Findings highlighted key areas of implementation success in active learning participation, peer learning support and student satisfaction in the learning activities. It also presented challenges such as cognitive overload, resulting in emotional disengagement and technological barriers. Potential areas for further enhancement highlighted the need for additional group activities, tasks and additional group assessment, offering insights into increasing efficiencies in online pedagogical strategies. The study contributes to the ever-changing transformational nature of digital hospitality higher education. It informs future best practices that foster student engagement in blended learning environments within hospitality online higher education programme delivery.
