UNDERSTANDING THE CAUSES OF STUDENTS’ ACADEMIC DISENGAGEMENT AND STRATEGIES FOR IMPROVEMENT
Keywords:
Keywords: student engagement, academic focus, cognitive overload, active learning, motivation, instructional strategiesAbstract
Student engagement and concentration are critical factors in academic success,
yet many students report difficulties maintaining focus during academic tasks. This
study explores the causes of disengagement among university students and identifies
instructional strategies that can enhance engagement and learning outcomes. Using a
qualitative research design, semi-structured interviews were conducted with seven
university students from various disciplines. Thematic analysis revealed key factors
affecting student focus, including the perceived lack of practical application in
assignments, cognitive overload, environmental distractions, and fatigue. The study
found that grammar exercises, lengthy reading assignments, and essays were
considered the least engaging tasks. To address these issues, students suggested
interactive and real-world applications, multimedia resources, clear instructions, task
segmentation, and gamification as effective strategies. These findings emphasize the
need for educators to rethink traditional assignment formats and adopt more student-
centered approaches to enhance engagement and academic performance.
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