scholarly journals Active Learning Strategies for Diverse Learning Styles: Simulations Are Only One Method

2013 ◽  
Vol 46 (04) ◽  
pp. 818-822 ◽  
Author(s):  
Pam Bromley

AbstractAlthough political science instructors increasingly recognize the advantages of incorporating active learning activities into their teaching, simulations remain the discipline's most commonly used active learning method. While certainly a useful strategy, simulations are not the only way to bring active learning into classrooms. Indeed, because students have diverse learning styles—comprised of their discrete learning preferences—engaging them in a variety of ways is important. This article explores six active learning techniques: simulations, case studies, enhanced lectures, large group discussion, small group work, and in-class writing. Incorporating these activities into an introductory, writing-intensive seminar on globalization and surveying students about their engagement with course activities, I find that different activities appeal to students with different learning preferences and that simulations are not students most preferred activity. Bringing a broader range of active learning strategies into courses can improve teaching for all students, no matter their learning style.

Author(s):  
Mauricio Marrone ◽  
Murray Taylor ◽  
Mara Hammerle

Active learning has been linked with increased student motivation, engagement and understanding of course material. It promotes deep learning, helping to develop critical thinking and writing skills in students. Less well understood, however, are the responses of international students to active learning. Using social constructivist theory, the purpose of this study is to examine domestic and international student perceptions of active learning introduced into large undergraduate Accounting Information Systems lectures. Several active learning strategies were implemented over one semester and examined through the use of semi-structured interviews as well as pre- and post- implementation surveys. Our results suggest broad improvements for international students in student engagement and understanding of unit material when implementing active learning strategies. Other key implications include international student preference for active learning compared with passive learning styles, and that international students may receive greater benefits from active learning strategies than domestic students due to social factors. Based on these findings this paper proposes that educators should seek to implement active learning to better assist and integrate students of diverse backgrounds.


2020 ◽  
Vol 17 (35) ◽  
pp. 977-987
Author(s):  
Tatiana N. BEREZINA ◽  
Elizaveta CHUMAKOVA

Studies in the area of chemistry teaching discovered that problem-based learning strategies (PBL) effectively improve students’ conceptual understanding. However, there is minimal information about the effectiveness of PBL if it is applied with multiple representations (MR) for the students with different learning preferences. This study aimed to prove the effects of problem-based learning strategies (PBL) using multiple representations (MR) and students’ learning styles on the conceptual understanding in chemistry. There were two whole classes in the Mechanical Engineering Department of Bali State Polytechnic that were assigned to be the experimental group (n = 59) and control group (n = 58). Felder-Soloman's Index of Learning Style (ILS) was applied to differentiate the students’ learning preferences, while their conceptual understanding in chemistry was assessed using a test after 6 weeks of treatment. The analysis of covariance (ANCOVA) shows that the conceptual understanding of students taught using PBL strategies with MR was significantly better than those taught using PBL strategies only. Besides, based on the variation of learning styles, students with a visual style had a better conceptual understanding than those with verbal style, but the difference was not statistically significant. The absence of interaction effect between PBL strategies with MR and learning style on students’ conceptual understanding suggests that the support of multiple representations in PBL strategies can effectively enhance students' understanding of concepts in chemistry regardless of their learning style.


2018 ◽  
Vol 9 (6) ◽  
pp. 14-19
Author(s):  
Karn Wongsuphasawat ◽  
Phakkharawat Sittiprapaporn

Background: Several studies reported that every individual learner has its own different style of learning. All learners have their own preferences for the ways in which they receive information for studying.Aims and Objective: In order to determine whether a particular teaching method provided by each instructor might enhance learner of anti-aging and regenerative medicine satisfaction with the learning process, a well-known learning preferences survey which are linked to sensory modalities of learners was distributed to anti-aging and regenerative science students at School of Anti-Aging and Regenerative Medicine, Mae Fah Luang University, Bangkok, Thailand.Materials and Methods: The applied preferred learning style survey named VARK was applied to identify student’s preferences for particular learning modes of information presentation. This study thus aimed to determine the preferred learning style and measure the distribution of learning preference mean scores of the anti-aging and regenerative science learners using 53 participants. The VARK questionnaire divided all learners into five groups, i.e., visual, aural, read/write, kinesthetic, and multimodal learners, respectively.Results: We found that the unimodality preference was 35.10% while the multimodality was 64.9%. Among the learners who preferred only one mode of information presentation, there were 8.25% of visual, 34.26% of aural, 22.44 % of read/write learners, and 35.05% of kinesthetic, respectively. Anti-aging and regenerative science learners preferred kinesthetic learning at a higher percentage than other modes. However, some learners preferred multiple modes including 32.45% of bimodal, 23.84% of trimodal, and 8.61% of quadmodal, respectively. Knowing the anti-aging and regenerative science learners preferred learning modes can help to provide instruction tailored to the learner’s individual preferences, to overcome the predisposition to treat all anti-aging and regenerative science learners in a similar way, to motivate instructors to move from their preferred mode(s) to using others, and to develop appropriate learning approaches.Conclusion: The result of this study would explore opportunities for anti-aging and regenerative science instructors to make the educational experience more productive.Asian Journal of Medical Sciences Vol.9(6) 2018 14-19


The aim of the study is to explore the impact of interaction between two active learning strategies (random excitement and the rolling stone) and the learning styles (auditory and visual) in developing the oral, and performance aspects of the English conversation skills among ninth graders in Gaza. The mixed approach was used. The sample contained (207) ninth graders and was chosen randomly from Al-Aysheya Basic Elementary School for Girls. To collect data, a conversational skills rating scale and an oral conversation test were used. The results showed a significant difference between the average scores in the experimental group 1 which was taught through the random excitement and the experimental group 2 taught through the rolling stone in the posttest of the oral side of the conversation skill due to the effect of the interaction between (random excitement and the rolling stone) and the learning styles (auditory and visual). The results also proved that a significant difference between the average scores in the experimental group1 which is taught through the random excitement and the experimental group 2 taught through the rolling stone in the posttest of the performance aspect of the conversation skill due to the effect of the interaction between (random excitement and the rolling stone) and the learning styles (auditory and visual). Considering the outcomes, the study proposes creating managing materials to furnish educators with the required information to utilize dynamic learning techniques, building up instructors' capacities in picking the perfect discussion exercise procedure to meet diverse learning styles, and concentrating on all conversation skills such speaking rate, volume, and accuracy in teaching conversation.


2020 ◽  
Vol 4 (2) ◽  
pp. 86
Author(s):  
Puspanda Hatta ◽  
Yusfia Hafid Aristyagama ◽  
Rosihan Ari Yuana ◽  
Septi Yulisetiani

The Covid-19 pandemic gives an impact on education field. The face-to-face learning pattern in schools has shifted to distance learning which is carried out online. The implementation of online learning during the pandemic forces a digital transformation in education, causing several problems, two of which are technology and human resources. This article discusses the appropriate online learning strategies to use during a pandemic, especially for synchronous interaction models. Qualitative research with a narrative approach was used to explore teachers' experiences in learning, especially those related to the form of interaction between teachers and students during the Covid-19 pandemic. Active learning was chosen based on the results of observations and literature review through journal articles and proceedings that discuss interactive distance learning methods. Active learning strategies assisted by video conferencing applications that can be applied in online learning in elementary schools include: the use of Student Response Systems; Think Pair Share; One Minute Paper; Small Group Discussion; and Short Student Presentations.


2020 ◽  
Vol 17 (35) ◽  
pp. 860-876
Author(s):  
Ida Ayu Anom ARSANI ◽  
Punaji SETYOSARI ◽  
Dedi KUSWANDI ◽  
I Wayan DASNA

Studies in the area of chemistry teaching discovered that problem-based learning strategies (PBL) effectively improve students’ conceptual understanding. However, there is minimal information about the effectiveness of PBL if it is applied with multiple representations (MR) for the students with different learning preferences. This study aimed to prove the effects of problem-based learning strategies (PBL) using multiple representations (MR) and students’ learning styles on the conceptual understanding in chemistry. There were two whole classes in the Mechanical Engineering Department of Bali State Polytechnic that were assigned to be the experimental group (n =59) and control group (n = 58). Felder-Soloman's Index of Learning Style (ILS) was applied to differentiate the students’ learning preferences, while their conceptual understanding in chemistry was assessed using a test after 6 weeks of treatment. The analysis of covariance (ANCOVA) shows that the conceptual understanding of students taught using PBL strategies with MR was significantly better than those taught using PBL strategies only. Besides, based on the variation of learning styles, students with a visual style had a better conceptual understanding than those with verbal style, but the difference was not statistically significant. The absence of interaction effect between PBL strategies with MR and learning style on students’ conceptual understanding suggests that the support of multiple representations in PBL strategies can effectively enhance students' understanding of concepts in chemistry regardless of their learning style.


Author(s):  
Zachary J. Handlos ◽  
Casey Davenport ◽  
Dawn Kopacz

AbstractExtensive research within STEM fields has demonstrated that active learning leads to greater educational success for students relative to traditional lecture methods. While studies have explored active learning use across various STEM fields, minimal research has focused specifically on the atmospheric sciences. A baseline knowledge of the use of active learning in this field is vital for determining instructional effectiveness and can identify areas for improvement.The goal of this study is to provide a baseline regarding the state of active learning within the atmospheric sciences, including understanding what active learning strategies are most widely used, their frequency of use, and who is using them. Atmospheric science instructors were invited to participate in an online survey to provide information about their active learning use in the classroom and resources used to learn more about active learning strategies. Survey results indicate that case studies are the most popular high-use active learning strategy across all levels of instruction, though how they are implemented within the classroom is not clear. New atmospheric science instructors, instructors beyond the typical 5 year tenure mark, and female instructors exhibit the highest number of unique active learning strategies. Future work stresses the need for a larger sample size and more direct classroom observation of instructors using active learning.


Author(s):  
Najmeh Akhlaghi ◽  
Hosein Mirkazemi ◽  
Mehdi Jafarzade ◽  
Narjes Akhlaghi

Purpose: The present study aimed to identify the learning preferences of dental students and to characterize their relationship with academic performance at a dental school in Isfahan, Iran. Methods: This cross-sectional descriptive study included 200 undergraduate dental students from October to November 2016. Data were collected using a 2-part questionnaire. The first part included demographic data, and the second part was a Persian-language version of the visual, aural, read/write, and kinesthetic questionnaire. Data analysis was conducted with the chi-square test, 1-way analysis of variance, and multiple linear regression. Results: The response rate was 86.6%. Approximately half of the students (51.5%) had multimodal learning preferences. Among the unimodal group (48.5%), the most common mode was aural (24.0%), followed by kinesthetic (15.5%), reading-writing (8.0%), and visual (1.0%). There was a significant association between academic performance and the reading/writing learning style preference (P< 0.01). Conclusion: Multimodal learning styles were the most preferred. Among single-mode learning styles, the aural style was most common, followed by the kinesthetic style. Students with a reading/writing preference had better academic performance. The results of this study provide useful information for preparing a more problem-based curriculum with active learning strategies.


2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Haitham Mohammed Habib Qutob

Abstract Background Flipped classroom is a teaching strategy used to enhance the engagement of students in the learning process. Replacing didactic lectures with active learning strategies through flipped classroom sessions fosters independence and the opportunity for students to engage in different passive learning styles. Although many studies of the flipped classroom approach have been conducted with medical students, few have focused on the effect of flipped classroom sessions on students in other medical professional fields. The aim of this study was to assess the effect of the flipped classroom approach on the performance of medical laboratory science students in a haematology course and their perception of the flipped classroom as an active learning strategy. In addition, students’ perceptions regarding the flipped classroom as an active learning strategy were assessed. Methods Of two cohorts in haematology courses, cohort 2 attended flipped classroom sessions, whereas cohort 1 underwent traditional class sessions. Students’ learning outcomes, achievements and performance on examinations in haematology courses were assessed. In addition, a satisfaction survey was distributed to the students to evaluate their perception of the flipped classroom as a student-centred learning strategy. Results Students in cohort 2 performed significantly better in the knowledge and cognitive domains than did those in cohort 1 (p < 0.001). Cohort 2 students completed the course successfully with an average grade of 81%, and few students received low grades; in comparison, cohort 1 students completed the course with an average grade of 73%, and 7 students received a grade of F. Of students in cohort 2, 83% believed that the flipped classroom provided a better understanding of the subject matter and appropriate knowledge and skills. Conclusion The results indicate the effectiveness of flipped classroom as an active learning style in enabling students to obtain desirable knowledge and improve their academic performance. Moreover, students recognised that the flipped classroom as an active leaning style was more beneficial than the traditional teaching approach.


Author(s):  
Hafidah Hafidah

This study aims to describe the learning of Qawa'id al Lughah al Arabiyah with an active learning strategy that makes it easy for students to learn materials that have been considered difficult. These objectives are detailed by 1) identifying active learning methods used in sharf and nahwu lectures; 3) describe the steps of learning activities for each method; 4) explain the competency achievements obtained by students. This study used a qualitative approach with data analysis used in this study including unit processing, categorization, checking the validity of the data, and interpreting the data. The data analysis process was carried out interactively starting from data collection, data reduction, data presentation, and drawing conclusions. The results of this study explain that learning Qawa'id al-Lughah al-'Arabiyah (Sharf and Nahwu) is carried out using active learning strategies, namely Jigsaw, Small Group Discussion, Reading a load, Peer Tutors, and games. This makes students able to attain competence in three educational domains, namely attitude (affective), knowledge (cognitive), and skills (psychomotor) proportionally, and more comprehensively understand materials that have been considered difficult so far.


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