Motivating the Margins: Inclusive Online Learning Design for Bangladeshi Students

In the rapidly advancing field of online learning, interface design plays a pivotal role in shaping student engagement and motivation, especially in countries like Bangladesh, which feature diverse technological infrastructures, cultural dynamics, and educational landscapes. This study delves into the complex relationship between online learning platforms and student experiences. Despite the increasing adoption of online education, the influence of interface design on fostering engagement across diverse student backgrounds remains underexplored. To address this gap, we employed a mixed-methods approach, conducting surveys with 115 students and semi-structured interviews with 60 students from both urban and rural regions of Bangladesh. Our findings underscore the critical requirements for online learning platforms in Bangladesh and identify key interface design elements that significantly impact student participation. These results highlight the importance of context-sensitive interface design in promoting inclusivity and effectiveness. We discuss the broader implications of our findings for creating more inclusive and adaptable online learning platforms, particularly for Bangladesh and other regions facing similar challenges and diverse educational needs.