Codesigning Meaningful Engagement with Online Course Readings: Implications for Teaching Management Courses

This paper reconceptualizes student engagement with course readings in management education. We challenge the perception of assigned readings as a solely student-centered issue, and propose a codesign approach that emphasizes the relational and intersubjective nature of various stakeholders contributing to the engagement design. The paper extends prior research by identifying concepts of quality of participation, connecting practices, and digital engagement that impact meaningful engagement with course readings. Grounded in action research theory, we propose a framework to design meaningful student engagement that is structured around six dimensions: (1) usefulness, (2) enjoyment, (3) quantity, (4) access, (5) intent, and (6) participative integration. These dimensions are entangled and viewed through three lenses: (a) what, (b) how, and (c) why. This paper presents theoretical and practical contributions, and importantly offers a paradigm shift in how educators and educational developers can enhance engagement with course readings in management education and beyond.