Abstract

The question the public and education stakeholders ask is how do we achieve student experience or student engagement in the new normal? In this article, I critically examine the elements of student engagement and experiences during the COVID-19 new normal and advance some policy and practical implications. Innovations in teaching and learning focus on applying a set of well-designed practices intended at engaging students, maintaining social interactions, knowledge sharing and excellent student experience. Several education theories and policies emphasise the need to balance the discourse of psych-sociology of learning and student’s engagement, “student’s engagement”, "sense of belonging" with teaching and learning pedagogy. Students certainly pursue education to gain subject or discipline knowledge, achieve social networking and gain economic benefit by gaining post-study paid employment or self-employment. Student development must combine activities focusing on their experiences from recruitment to graduation.