Determinants Analysis of Student Engagement in Learning

Abstract

Objective: This study aimed to analyze the determinants of student engagement in learning, due to the low student engagement in learning. It can be known what factors form student engagement.  Method:  This study focused on students from the Faculty of Economic & Business at Universitas Muhammadiyah Sumatera Utara, with an overall population of 2,452 individuals. Therefore, the researcher determined the sample using the Slovin formula, with an e of 10%, and the total sample was 96 students. Data collection is done by using Google Form. Data analysis method using Structural Equation Modelling, that aimed to test the relationship between variables in the research model. Data processing was carried out with the help of the Smart-PLS 3 program.  Results:  The findings indicate that personality acts as a moderating variable in the relationship between intrinsic motivation and student engagement. Feedback, personality, and lecturer engagement were found to partially influence student engagement; however, feedback does not have a direct significant effect. Additionally, intrinsic motivation mediates the relationship between feedback and student engagement but does not mediate the relationship between lecturer engagement and student engagement. These results suggest that feedback can enhance student engagement indirectly through intrinsic motivation. Higher-quality feedback increases intrinsic motivation, that in turn strengthens student engagement. Therefore, lecturers should actively foster interaction and provide meaningful feedback to enhance students’ intrinsic motivation, personality development, and engagement in learning. Novelty: This study contributes by identifying intrinsic motivation as a mediator between feedback and student engagement, a relationship rarely explored in prior research.