Page 219 - International Perspectives on Effective Teaching and Learning in Digital Education

Maximizing Nursing Students’ Engagement in Distance Learning: Strategies and Insights

learning outcomes in digital instruction. While technology, such as LMS and
multimedia, supports engagement, student interaction and instructor facili-
tation remain central to success. Research highlights that peer collaboration
and structured discussions are essential for fostering meaningful learning
experiences (Sun & Chen, 16). Features such as progress tracking and gam-
ification elements can further enhance engagement.
Offering technical assistance to assist students in enhancing their inter-
net connections and resolving problems reduces interruptions and guar-
antees that technical issues do not impede involvement (O’Doherty et al.,
18). Providing extended virtual office hours for IT support or developing
FAQs and tutorials can enable students to address typical problems inde-
pendently.
Making sure all content is accessible to students with disabilities by
including captions, transcripts, and compatibility with assistive technol-
ogies, promotes inclusivity and equal participation. Universal Design for
Learning (UDL) principles can guide the creation of accessible materials
(CAST, 18).

Audio and Video Quality
The quality of audio and video content is essential in distance learning.
High-quality sound enables students to comprehend lessons easily, avoiding
mental strain, lowering cognitive burden, and minimizing misinterpretations.
According to Clark and Mayer (16), well-designed multimedia materials –
particularly when audio and visual elements are properly aligned – can signif-
icantly enhance understanding and retention while minimizing extraneous
cognitive processing. High-definition video may help keeping students vis-
ually engaged and aiding them in picking up on non-verbal cues, which are
crucial for grasping complex material and maintaining attention.
While some studies suggest that high-quality video production enhances
student engagement, research findings remain mixed. Guo et al. (14) found
that shorter, more interactive videos and informal settings often led to high-
er engagement than highly polished, studio-produced content (Guo et al.,
14). This highlights the need for further investigation into the specific fac-
tors that influence student interaction with educational videos.
Some studies noted that issues with media quality could result in irrita-
tion and reduced drive, potentially leading students to become less en-
gaged. Clear audio and visuals are considered especially crucial in nursing
education, where a strong grasp of detailed procedures and concepts is
crucial.

19