Transformation of Online Learning: Students' Perspective on the Impact of Digital Experience on Academic Engagement

The transformation of online learning has become a significant global phenomenon, especially since the COVID-19 pandemic accelerated the adoption of digital technology in education. This article aims to examine how students' digital experiences affect their academic engagement in the context of online learning. This study uses a qualitative approach with the literature study method (library research) to analyze findings from various relevant scientific sources, both from journals, books, and recent research reports. The main focus of this study is on students' perceptions of the effectiveness of digital platforms, the interactivity of online learning, and their impact on motivation, participation, and emotional engagement in the learning process. The results show that a positive digital experience—characterized by ease of access, high interactivity, and adequate technological support—contributes significantly to increased student academic engagement. However, challenges such as digital fatigue, limited social interaction, and digital literacy gap were also found that could hinder students' active participation. This article recommends the need for student-oriented pedagogical strategies, adaptive technology integration, and improving the digital competencies of lecturers and students to maximize the effectiveness of online learning in the future. This study is expected to make a theoretical and practical contribution to the development of a more inclusive and sustainable digital learning model.