Impact of Emergency Online Classes on Students’ Motivation and Engagement in University During the Covid-19 Pandemic: A Study Case

The Covid-19 pandemic has had dramatic impact on many dimensions of living and studying conditions of students at University. This paper analyses student satisfaction and motivation during the lockdown period and try to understand whether different socio-economic and environmental conditions have influenced needs and demands of students during the emergency online didactics. Drawing from the results of a questionnaire administered to students enrolled in the University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, this research is aimed at describing which factors, beyond the quality and the professionalism of the lecturers and the quality of the education received, influence the satisfaction with the online learning experience and impact on students’ motivations and perceived engagement. Moreover, the study investigates the pandemic’s direct effects on gender differences and inequalities, analysing the obstacles affecting the self- organization of study at home.