Student levels of engagement in learning: A case study of Cape Peninsula University of Technology (CPUT)

Abstract

South Africa is currently faced with the challenge of undesirably low throughput rates in higher education. The need to keep students interested and motivated to succeed are key objectives of many lecturers and institutions. Empirical studies have shown that one of the factors influencing student success at university is student engagement. This paper presents lecturers’ and students’ perspectives on levels of student engagement in four (Engineering, Business, Applied Sciences, and Informatics and Design) of the six faculties at CPUT as well as factors that contribute to and constrain these levels of engagement in learning. Finally, the paper offers some practical strategies for promoting student engagement and success in learning.

Keywords: Student engagement, engagement construct, an engaged university, South African Survey of Student Engagement