For the past several decades, student engagement has been an increasingly popular subject of research in higher education. The conversation around engagement has become even more critical in in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic, as institutions navigate a rapid shift to remote learning. A body of research indicates that an approach to engagement, which prioritizes frequent interaction between students and instructors, as well as among students themselves, is a critically important part of online instruction. As institutions grapple with the increasing likelihood of partially (if not fully) online instruction this fall, it is clear that the typical, synchronous forms of engagement will not suffice. This article discusses the difference between engagement and motivation, along with the importance of prioritizing both for online instruction.