Student engagement is a crucial determinant of success
in online education, yet it presents unique challenges. In
virtual environments, students may feel isolated and reluctant
to seek help. Research highlights strategies like interactive
tools and active learning pedagogies to enhance engagement,
but online course attrition remains high due to issues like low
motivation, minimal peer interaction, and a lack of perceived
competence. To combat these challenges, course design must
carefully cater to student needs, fostering autonomy,
competence, and relatedness to optimize engagement and
promote retention.