The Cloud-Based Remote Learning via Digital Media Ecosystem to Enhance Learning Engagement among Undergraduate Students in Engineering Education

Abstract

This research aimed to develop the Cloud-Based Remote Learning Digital Media Ecosystem (CbRL-DM Ecosystem) to enhance undergraduate engineering students’ learning engagement. The study employed a mixed-methods research design, consisting of three phases: 1) A scoping review exploring the consistency between digital media exposure, technological infrastructure, and engagement strategies among Thai higher education students; 2) Development of the CbRL-DM Ecosystem; and 3) Assessment of learning outcomes among 45 first-year engineering students in Thailand. We assessed learning outcomes through pretest and posttest scores using paired t-tests for analysis. The findings revealed: 1) The scoping review identified digital media behaviors among Thai undergraduate students, including the use of Line, Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, and Google Workspace, which align with the technological infrastructure of Thai higher education institutions; 2) The CbRL-DM Ecosystem consists of three components: (1) Instructors, who manage the classroom by pre-designing lessons and communicating through remote learning while applying effective engagement strategies such as verbal and non-verbal communication technique (e.g., gestures, eye contact, tone), gamification technique, and collaboration technique; (2) Digital media, hosted on public cloud platforms (including LINE, Gmail, Google Classroom, Meet, Jamboard, Quizizz, Google Drive, and other tools like Google Add-ons); and (3) Students, who engage in self-regulated learning and learning by doing; 3) Undergraduate engineering students showed significantly higher levels of learning engagement and academic achievement after using the intervention, with statistical significance at the .05 level. Future research should integrate AI-powered tools such as ChatGPT, Gemini, and DeepSeek into the CbRL-DM Ecosystem to empower personalized learning experiences.