This study aimed to delineate the learning profiles of student teachers engaged in an online educational environment within South Africa. Employing a person-centered methodology, the research identified distinct response patterns related to engaged learning and academic determination across latent student groups. Additionally, the study explored variations among these profiles concerning synchronous and asynchronous lecture attendance, sense of community, and the quality of interactions with instructors. The sample comprised 326 undergraduate teacher students from a private higher education institution that exclusively utilizes online instruction. Data collection involved administering selected items from the Student Thriving Quotient within a cross-sectional survey framework. Analysis revealed four discrete learning profiles characterized by differing levels of engaged learning and academic determination: “Work-Life” (42%), “Academically Thriving” (38%), “Superficial Learner” (12%), and “Persistent Learners” (8%). Notably, sense of community emerged as a significant differentiator among these profiles. Furthermore, the profiles exhibited differential associations with synchronous online lecture attendance and personal contact with lecturers. The findings offer a nuanced understanding of undergraduate students’ academic behaviors in an online context by uncovering interaction patterns between engaged learning and academic determination that might otherwise remain obscured. The variation in these constructs across profiles has important implications for pedagogical strategies and student success initiatives. Insights into how online instructional modes influence student learning behaviors can inform the development of more effective teaching practices, ultimately enhancing student engagement and academic achievement in digital learning environments.

Authors:
Marita Heyns, North-West University, South Africa
Michael Heyns, AROS, South Africa

About the Presenter(s)
Dr Marita Heyns is currently a full professor at the Optentia research unit of the North-West University, South Africa. A current project focuses on adult student teachers and their thriving within an online teaching and learning environment.

See this presentation on the full schedule – Friday Schedule

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