Effect of Classroom Emotional Climate on Students’ Engagement among Business Students in Saudi Arabia

Abstract

Student engagement is a significant element in learning at institutions of higher education. This becomes apparent among business students as the courses offered are quite challenging and require students to possess prior knowledge and skills. Such demanding circumstances distract students’ focus in class which creates disengagement between the students and their learning environment. Consequently, the course learning objectives and outcomes cannot be achieved. This study aims to explore the level of engagement through classroom emotional climate on business students, focusing on the International Business course, which is a mandatory course in the business degree programme. This study uses a peer observation method in assessing the phenomenon in a classroom setting. It is found that student-teacher interactions are vital in creating a positive emotional climate in the class which eventually escalates the students’ engagement in class.  In creating such a climate, the creativity of the instructor is necessary to ensure learning objectives are achieved.

Keywords: class engagement, emotional climate, learning in business, peer observation