Technology is not Enough: Educators as Catalysts for Sparking Student Interest and Engagement in Higher Education

With technology fundamentally changing the way students learn, traditional lectures often fail to capture student interest and prepare them for rapidly evolving demands of the job market. This paper highlights the need for active learning approaches that spark interest, motivation, and engagement. A significant challenge to achieving this goal is academic boredom, a negative emotional state associated with passive learning environments. Technology can offer a powerful toolset for transforming the traditional learning environment. However, effective learning relies not only on the strategic integration of technology, but also on the selection of the appropriate teaching techniques that cultivate a stimulating and interactive learning environment. To address this challenge, this study aims to explore key factors influencing university student engagement. This includes exploring academic boredom rates, the underlying factors leading students to lose interest, the impact of digital technology in university courses, and student preferences for teaching practices. The findings highlighted a gap between student preferences for engaging and meaningful learning experiences, and current teaching practices that often rely on traditional lectures and outdated content.