Exploring the Relationship between Digital Learning Engagement and Environmental Protection Attitudes as a Pathway to Environmental Advocacy among Culinary and Tourism Students

¹ Major of Culinary Education, State University of Surabaya, Surabaya. Indonesia
² Major of Tourism Studies, State University of Surabaya, Surabaya. Indonesia
³ Major of Aquatic Biosciences, National Chiayi University, Chiayi, Taiwan

^* Corresponding author: isaansori@unesa.ac.id

Abstract

This research examines the relationship between Digital Learning Engagement (DLE) and Environmental Protection Attitudes (EPA) as a foundation for fostering environmental advocacy among students in culinary and tourism programs. The study aims to explore how students’ involvement in digital learning may encourage positive attitudes toward sustainability and environmental protection, which in turn could strengthen their awareness and participation in environmental advocacy within higher education. A quantitative approach with an ex post facto design was applied. The study involved 123 students drawn from both programs through proportional random sampling. Data were collected using Likert-scale questionnaires designed to measure digital engagement and environmental protection attitudes. The analysis used Pearson’s correlation and simple linear regression, processed with SPSS version 25. The findings revealed a significant positive relationship between DLE and EPA (r = 0.401, p < 0.001), with a determination value of 16.1%. This suggests that students who are more actively engaged in digital learning tend to show stronger awareness and more positive attitudes toward environmental protection. Such engagement plays a meaningful role in shaping pro-environmental values that can become the groundwork for future advocacy efforts. The results highlight the importance of integrating sustainability principles into digital learning design to nurture ecological literacy and environmental advocacy among students.