The Impact of Computer Self Efficacy on Student Engagement and Group Satisfaction in Online Business Courses

Abstract

As countless regional, national, and international accrediting bodies continue to employ student engagement measures as mechanisms for quality assurance, universities become more intent on achieving this important gauge of student success. Specifically, the growth in enrollment in distance learning programs adds a unique level of complexity leading researchers to search for ways to increase engagement in the online course environment. Organizations continue to value teamwork and many instructors have incorporated group work into their online courses to teach students this important skill. The present study examines the impact of student engagement on group satisfaction. Furthermore, this research places student engagement at the center of a structural equation model to determine both predictors and outcomes of this important element of student learning. Specifically, this analysis examines whether students’ perceptions of computer self‑efficacy impact student engagement and group satisfaction in online business courses. Our findings indicate that computer self‑efficacy leads to student engagement and, further, that student engagement influences group satisfaction. Importantly, the relationship between student engagement and group satisfaction is mediated by group expectations. Discussions of findings can be utilized to understand the factors that lead to student engagement and its outcomes in online courses.