Active Learning Strategies in Enhancing Learning among College Students

Author(s):  
Caroline C. Chemosit ◽  
John K. Rugutt ◽  
Viviline Ngeno ◽  
Dorothy Soi

This chapter explores the relationship between active learning strategies and skills and attributes that enhance learning (SAEL) among college students. Developing skills and attributes that enhance learning (SAEL) among college students is critical to student success and persistence in college. Additionally, SAEL help the students develop a sustained learning commitment while in college and after graduation. However, little evidence is there to show how higher education institutions are equipping students with SAEL. This study seeks to investigate if there is a relationship between active learning strategies (ALS) and SAEL. Secondary data from the 2007 National Survey of Student Engagement (NSSE) at a Midwestern state university in the USA were employed to examine the relationship between ALS and SAEL. The results of the analysis showed positive significant correlations between ALS and SAEL components, (p < 0.001). Multiple regression model showed that ALS predictor variables significantly predict SAEL, R2 = .196, R2adj = .188, F (7, 731) = 25.38, p < .001. The regression model accounts for 19.6% of variance in SAEL.

2018 ◽  
Vol 17 (3) ◽  
pp. ar47 ◽  
Author(s):  
Oriana R. Aragón ◽  
Sarah L. Eddy ◽  
Mark J. Graham

Mounting evidence of the efficacy of active learning has prompted educators to consider adoption of these practices in college-level classrooms. One tenet of active learning is that most, if not all, students have the ability to learn. Instructors’ perspectives on learning, however, may or may not be aligned with this. One belief held by some educators is that intelligence is fixed, that is, some students are more intelligent and have a higher ability to learn than others. Instructors with a fixed mindset may not be convinced that their investment in developing active-learning materials will be as fruitful as the education evidence suggests, because these instructors may not believe that most students can grow in their learning. Here, we explored the relationship between fixed mindsets and the adoption of active-learning strategies. We found that instructors with higher fixed mindsets were less persuaded that active-learning strategies were a good idea and less likely to implement the teaching practices. Our research suggests that development initiatives should explicitly address educators’ lay theories of intelligence ( fixed or growth mindset) to support successful implementation of active learning.


2018 ◽  
Vol 21 (3) ◽  
pp. 203-216 ◽  
Author(s):  
Andrew R du Rocher

Active learning strategies, goals, values, self-efficacy and thus study motivation are all thought to affect the depth of student engagement with their work. Plagiarism is a common problem and must reflect a shallow level of student engagement. Cognitive perspectives on learning and teaching should consider how variations in attentional control might be implicated in both study motivation and plagiarism. This study aimed to elucidate the relationship between these variables, with the intention of informing learning and teaching practices. Increased self-efficacy, active learning strategies and learning values were robustly related to a more negative attitude towards plagiarism. Attentional control was unrelated to attitudes towards plagiarism, but was robustly related to increased self-efficacy and active learning strategies. Research concerning how both active learning and self-efficacy are affected by attentional control processes should be instrumental in improving teaching techniques. Increasing students’ active learning and self-efficacy during their degree should prove to be of particular utility when developing plagiarism interventions.


2019 ◽  
Vol 049 (01) ◽  
Author(s):  
Linda Strubbe ◽  
Jared Stang ◽  
Tara Holland ◽  
Sarah Bean Sherman ◽  
Warren Code

2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kalyca N. Spinler ◽  
◽  
René A. Shroat-Lewis ◽  
Michael T. DeAngelis

2000 ◽  
Vol 24 (1) ◽  
pp. 30-37 ◽  
Author(s):  
J R Moy ◽  
D W Rodenbaugh ◽  
H L Collins ◽  
S E DiCarlo

Traditional review sessions are typically focused on instructor-based learning. However, experts in the field of higher education have long recommended teaching modalities that incorporate student-based active-learning strategies. Given this, we developed an educational game in pulmonary physiology for first-year medical students based loosely on the popular television game show Who Wants To Be A Millionaire. The purpose of our game, Who Wants To Be A Physician, was to provide students with an educational tool by which to review material previously presented in class. Our goal in designing this game was to encourage students to be active participants in their own learning process. The Who Wants To Be A Physician game was constructed in the form of a manual consisting of a bank of questions in various areas of pulmonary physiology: basic concepts, pulmonary mechanics, ventilation, pulmonary blood flow, pulmonary gas exchange, gas transport, and control of ventilation. Detailed answers are included in the manual to assist the instructor or player in comprehension of the material. In addition, an evaluation instrument was used to assess the effectiveness of this instructional tool in an academic setting. Specifically, the evaluation instrument addressed five major components, including goals and objectives, participation, content, components and organization, and summary and recommendations. Students responded positively to our game and the concept of active learning. Moreover, we are confident that this educational tool has enhanced the students' learning process and their ability to understand and retain information.


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