The Influence of Student–Instructor Communication Methods on Student Engagement and Motivation in Higher Education Online Courses During and After the COVID-19 Pandemic

Effective communication between students and instructors is vital for student success. Traditionally, this communication has taken place in person within classroom settings. However, with technological advancements, online classes have become more common. The COVID-19 pandemic accelerated this shift, significantly disrupting traditional communication methods between students and instructors and transforming the educational landscape, particularly in higher education. We conducted a qualitative narrative literature review of the technological tools that emerged during the pandemic and explored how today’s instructors can effectively use them to enhance student engagement and motivation in online classrooms. The review utilized the SANRA (scale for the assessment of narrative reviews) guidelines to ensure the quality of the studies used. Twenty-two articles published within the last ten years were chosen based on their relevance to higher education and student–instructor communication. The articles were analyzed for effective and ineffective educational communication tools (e.g., Zoom or Google Classroom) utilized during the pandemic, focusing on what worked and what could be improved. The findings revealed that live video sessions were more effective than pre-recorded videos, voice-only sessions, or email/text communications in fostering student engagement and motivation.