Paws and Pedagogy: Using Pet Photos in a Learning Management System to Enhance Student Engagement

Abstract

In an era of hybrid and digital learning, maintaining consistent student engagement presents a formidable challenge, particularly in an asynchronous environment where students learn at their own pace and on their own schedule. This paper outlines a creative, low-cost teaching intervention, delivered to an introductory-level Macroeconomics subject at Charles Sturt University in 2025. We use photos of staff pets to build rapport, foster a sense of community, and motivate students to regularly log into the online learning management systems (LMS) platform and read the subject content. This approach demonstrates how integrating light-hearted, emotionally resonant stimuli – such as pet photos – can serve as a behavioral nudge to deepen academic interaction and improve student engagement