Role of Technology-Enhanced Learning on Student Engagement and Motivation in Selected Ghanaian Senior High Schools.
Authors
University of Nottingham (UK)
Article Information
Publication Timeline
Submitted: 2026-02-04
Accepted: 2026-02-09
Published: 2026-02-24
Abstract
Purpose: Technology-Enhanced Learning (TEL) has become a central feature of contemporary education, offering digital platforms and tools to improve teaching and learning. In Ghanaian Senior High Schools (SHSs), TEL adoption has accelerated, particularly during the COVID-19 pandemic, yet questions remain about its impact on student engagement and motivation. This study therefore examined role of technology-enhanced learning on student engagement and motivation in selected Ghanaian Senior High Schools.
Methods: Anchored in Self-Determination Theory, the study employed a positivist paradigm and a descriptive cross-sectional survey design. A deductive approach guided the analysis of theoretically grounded constructs. The sample comprised 73 students purposively selected from two public SHSs with established digital infrastructure. Data were collected using a structured questionnaire administered via Google Forms, adapted from validated instruments, and analysed using IBM SPSS (Version 27). Descriptive statistics summarised perceptions, while Pearson’s correlation tested associations among digital literacy, motivation, and engagement at a 95% confidence level.
Findings: Findings revealed that students perceived digital literacy particularly confidence and positive attitudes toward digital tools as critical enablers of TEL use. Confidence in digital skills strongly influenced collaboration and motivation (Mean = 4.00; r = 0.93). Digital tool use was highly correlated with improved focus, enjoyment, and active participation in TEL classrooms (r = 0.91–0.94). These results highlight that competence and confidence are stronger predictors of motivation and engagement than peer influence or system usability.
Conclusion: The study concludes that TEL can significantly enhance student motivation and engagement when supported by digital literacy.
Implications: The implications highlight the need for targeted teacher training, equitable resource allocation, and digital literacy programmes to maximise TEL’s benefits in Ghanaian SHSs, thereby advancing SDG 4 (Quality Education).
Originality: The originality of this research lies in its focus on the relationship between digital literacy and motivational outcomes in Ghanaian SHSs, moving beyond access and infrastructure debates to provide empirical evidence on how TEL shapes students’ learning experiences.
Keywords
Technology-Enhanced Learning (TEL), Digital Literacy, Student Motivation, Learning Engagement
Downloads
References
1. Addaea, D., Amponsah, S., & Gbortia, B. J. (2021). COVID-19 pandemic and the shift to digital learning: Experiences of students in a community college in Ghana. Community College Journal of Research and Practice, 46(1–2), 101–112. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]
2. Babbie, E. R. (2020). The practice of social research (15th ed.). Cengage Learning. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]
3. Badiuzzaman, M., Rafiquzzaman, M., Rabby, M., & Rahman, M. (2021). The latent digital divide and its drivers in e-learning among Bangladeshi students during the COVID-19 pandemic. Information, 12(8), 287. https://doi.org/10.3390/info12080287 [Google Scholar] [Crossref]
4. Bryman, A. (2016). Social research methods (5th ed.). Oxford University Press. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]
5. Chen, K.-C., & Jang, S.-J. (2010). Motivation in online learning: Testing a model of self-determination theory. Computers in Human Behavior, 26(4), 741–752. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.chb.2010.01.011 [Google Scholar] [Crossref]
6. Chinemerem, C. J., & Okeke, I. E. (2025). Correlation between postgraduate students’ computer literacy, information retrieval skills, and use of electronic resources in South East Nigeria. Journal of Education and Teacher Training Innovation, 3(2), 263–274. https://doi.org/10.61227/jetti.v3i2.215 [Google Scholar] [Crossref]
7. Cohen, L., Manion, L., & Morrison, K. (2018). Research methods in education (8th ed.). Routledge. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]
8. Creswell, J. W., & Creswell, J. D. (2018). Research design: Qualitative, quantitative, and mixed methods approaches (5th ed.). Sage Publications. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]
9. Criollo-C, S., Altamirano-Suarez, E., Jaramillo-Villacís, L., Vidal-Pacheco, K., Guerrero-Arias, A., & Luján-Mora, S. (2022). Sustainable teaching and learning through a mobile application: A case study. Sustainability, 14(11), 6663. https://doi.org/10.3390/su14116663 [Google Scholar] [Crossref]
10. Deci, E. L., & Ryan, R. M. (1985). Intrinsic motivation and self-determination in human behavior. New York: Springer Science & Business Media. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4899-2271-7 [Google Scholar] [Crossref]
11. Deci, E. L., & Ryan, R. M. (2017). Self-determination theory: Basic psychological needs in motivation, development, and wellness. New York: Guilford Press [Google Scholar] [Crossref]
12. Education Profiles. (2024). Ghana: Technology. Education Profiles. https://education-profiles.org/subsaharan-africa/ghana/~technology?utm_source=chatgpt.com [Google Scholar] [Crossref]
13. Ekaningsih, N., & Kurnia, C. (2022). The correlation between students’ digital literacy and English communicative competence. Journal of English Education and Teaching, 6(1), 57–72. DOI:10.33369/jeet.6.1.57-72 [Google Scholar] [Crossref]
14. Etikan, I., Musa, S. A., & Alkassim, R. S. (2016). Comparison of convenience sampling and purposive sampling. American Journal of Theoretical and Applied Statistics, 5(1), 1–4. https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ajtas.20160501.11 [Google Scholar] [Crossref]
15. Fredricks, J. A., Blumenfeld, P. C., & Paris, A. H. (2004). School engagement: Potential of the concept, state of the evidence. Review of Educational Research, 74(1), 59–109. https://doi.org/10.3102/00346543074001059 [Google Scholar] [Crossref]
16. Gender & Digital. (2024). ICT education in Ghana. Gender & Digital. https://genderanddigital.org/icteducation-in-ghana/?utm_source=chatgpt.com [Google Scholar] [Crossref]
17. Getenet, S., Cantle, R., Redmond, P., & Albion, P. (2024). Students’ digital technology attitude, literacy and self-efficacy and their effect on online learning engagement. International Journal of Educational Technology in Higher Education, 21(3). https://doi.org/10.1186/s41239-023-00437-y (SpringerLink) [Google Scholar] [Crossref]
18. Getenet, S., Haeusler, C., Redmond, P., Cantle, R., & Crouch, V. (2024). First-year preservice teachers’ understanding of digital technologies and their digital literacy, efficacy, attitude, and online learning engagement: Implication for course design. Technology, Knowledge and Learning, 29(1359–1383). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10758-023-09724-z (Springer) [Google Scholar] [Crossref]
19. Gravetter, F. J., & Wallnau, L. B. (2017). Statistics for the behavioral sciences (10th ed.). Cengage Learning. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]
20. Hair, J. F., Black, W. C., Babin, B. J., & Anderson, R. E. (2019). Multivariate data analysis (8th ed.). Cengage. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]
21. Hartnett, M. (2016). Motivation in online education. Springer. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-981-10-07002 [Google Scholar] [Crossref]
22. Hennessy, S., Harrison, D., & Wamakote, L. (2010). Teacher factors influencing classroom use of ICT in Sub-Saharan Africa. Itupale Online Journal of African Studies, 2, 39–54. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]
23. Johnson, B., & Christensen, L. (2017). Educational research: Quantitative, qualitative, and mixed approaches (6th ed.). Sage Publications. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]
24. Joshi, A., Kale, S., Chandel, S., & Pal, D. K. (2015). Likert scale: Explored and explained. British Journal of Applied Science & Technology, 7(4), 396–403. https://doi.org/10.9734/BJAST/2015/14975 [Google Scholar] [Crossref]
25. Maphalala, M., & Mpofu, N. (2023). Experiences of South African academics moving from contact to emergency remote teaching: Lessons for the future. International Journal of Innovative Technologies in Social Science, 4(40). https://doi.org/10.31435/rsglobal_ijitss/30122023/8084 [Google Scholar] [Crossref]
26. Mardiana, H. (2024). Perceived impact of lecturers’ digital literacy skills in higher education institutions. SAGE Open, 14(3). https://doi.org/10.1177/21582440241256937 [Google Scholar] [Crossref]
27. Mathrani, A., Sarvesh, T., & Umer, R. (2021). Digital divide framework: Online learning in developing countries during the COVID-19 lockdown. Globalisation, Societies and Education, 20(5), 625–640. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]
28. https://doi.org/10.1080/14767724.2021.1981253 [Google Scholar] [Crossref]
29. McMillan, J. H., & Schumacher, S. (2014). Research in education: Evidence-based inquiry (7th ed.). Pearson Education. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]
30. Ministry of Education. (2015). ICT in education reform. Ghana Ministry of Education. https://moe.gov.gh/ict-in-education-reform-2/?utm_source=chatgpt.com [Google Scholar] [Crossref]
31. Muthmainnah, M., Siripipatthanakul, S., Apriani, E., & Yakin, A. (2023). Effectiveness of online informal language learning applications in English language teaching: A behavioral perspective. Education Science and Management, 1(2), 7. https://doi.org/10.56578/esm010202 [Google Scholar] [Crossref]
32. Nardi, P. M. (2018). Doing survey research: A guide to quantitative methods (4th ed.). Routledge. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]
33. Niemiec, C. P., & Ryan, R. M. (2009). Autonomy, competence, and relatedness in the classroom. Theory and Research in Education, 7(2), 133–144. https://doi.org/10.1177/1477878509104318 [Google Scholar] [Crossref]
34. Nikolopoulou, K. (2022). Students’ mobile phone practices for academic purposes: Strengthening postpandemic university digitalization. Sustainability, 14(22), 14958. https://doi.org/10.3390/su142214958 [Google Scholar] [Crossref]
35. Owusu Agyeman, Y., Andoh, J. S., & Lanidune, E. (2024). The COVID-19 pandemic and student engagement in online learning: The moderating effect of technology self-efficacy. Journal of Pedagogical Research. https://doi.org/10.33902/JPR.2021473586 [Google Scholar] [Crossref]
36. Owusu-Agyemang, M. (2025, April 3). Ministry of education data reveals digital tools driving Senior High School learning in Ghana. Ghana Sustainability Times. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]
37. https://ghanassustainabilitytimes.wordpress.com/2025/04/03/ministry-of-education-data-reveals-digitaltools-driving-senior-high-school-learning-in-ghana/ [Google Scholar] [Crossref]
38. Pallant, J. (2020). SPSS survival manual (7th ed.). McGraw-Hill Education. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]
39. Punch, K. F. (2014). Introduction to social research: Quantitative and qualitative approaches (3rd ed.). Sage Publications. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]
40. Ryan, R. M., & Deci, E. L. (2000). Self-determination theory and the facilitation of intrinsic motivation, social development, and well-being. American Psychologist, 55(1), 68–78. https://doi.org/10.1037/0003066X.55.1.68 [Google Scholar] [Crossref]
41. Ryan, R. M., & Deci, E. L. (2020). Intrinsic motivation and self-determination in human behavior. Springer. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]
42. Sánchez-Cruzado, C., Campión, R., & Compaña, M. (2021). Teacher digital literacy: The indisputable challenge after COVID-19. Sustainability, 13(4), 1858. https://doi.org/10.3390/su13041858 [Google Scholar] [Crossref]
43. Selwyn, N. (2016). Education and technology: Key issues and debates. Bloomsbury Academic. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]
44. Sun, J. C.-Y., & Rueda, R. (2012). Situational interest, computer self-efficacy and self-regulation: Their impact on student engagement in distance education. British Journal of Educational Technology, 43(2), 191–204. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1467-8535.2010.01157.x [Google Scholar] [Crossref]
45. Taherdoost, H. (2016). Validity and reliability of the research instrument; how to test the validation of a questionnaire/survey in a research. International Journal of Academic Research in Management, 5(3), 28– 36. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]
46. Teng, Y., & Wang, X. (2021). The effect of two educational technology tools on student engagement in Chinese EFL courses. International Journal of Educational Technology in Higher Education, 18(27). https://doi.org/10.1186/s41239-021-00263-0 (Springer) [Google Scholar] [Crossref]
47. United Nations. (2015). Transforming our world: The 2030 agenda for sustainable development. United Nations. https://sdgs.un.org/2030agenda [Google Scholar] [Crossref]
48. Wang, Z., Chen, L., & Anderson, T. (2021). A framework for interaction and cognitive engagement in online learning. Distance Education, 42(4), 529–552. https://doi.org/10.1080/01587919.2021.1986375 [Google Scholar] [Crossref]
Metrics
Views & Downloads
Similar Articles
- Assessment of the Role of Artificial Intelligence in Repositioning TVET for Economic Development in Nigeria
- Teachers’ Use of Assure Model Instructional Design on Learners’ Problem Solving Efficacy in Secondary Schools in Bungoma County, Kenya
- “E-Booksan Ang Kaalaman”: Development, Validation, and Utilization of Electronic Book in Academic Performance of Grade 9 Students in Social Studies
- Analyzing EFL University Students’ Academic Speaking Skills Through Self-Recorded Video Presentation
- Major Findings of The Study on Total Quality Management in Teachers’ Education Institutions (TEIs) In Assam – An Evaluative Study