USING ACTIVE LEARNING METHODOLOGIES IN AN INTRODUCTORY STATISTICS COURSE

In general, engineering students show little interest in the activities inherent in statistics subjects. This claim may be partly explained by the competition with other subjects in the first years of undergraduate courses, or by student perceived low attractiveness of the classes. In this context, several studies indicated that methodologies where the student is the protagonist of the learning process lead to greater engagement during the activities and better scores in the assessments. This work describes the use of active learning methodologies in an introductory probability and statistics course for Engineering classes at a Brazilian public institution. Two classes were monitored during one term: in the first one (control class) traditional lectures were used, in the second one (experimental class) three different active methodologies were applied, namely: Jigsaw, Peer Instruction and Think-Pair-Share. On the one hand, the results indicated slightly better performances in the experimental class, as well as an increase in attendance. On the other hand, dropout rates were similar in both classes. This study is part of a renewal proposal of the mathematics subjects, based on the use of active learning methodologies and the review of curricular content to meet current pedagogical demands. Abstract: Portuguese Em geral, os alunos de Engenharia demonstram pouco interesse nas atividades inerentes à disciplina de Estatística. Tal constatação pode ser em parte explicada pela concorrência com outras disciplinas do ciclo básico, ou ainda, pela pouca atratividade das aulas. Nesse contexto, diversos estudos apontam que metodologias onde o aluno é o protagonista do processo de aprendizagem acarretam maior engajamento durante as atividades e melhores escores nas avaliações. Este trabalho descreve o uso de metodologias de aprendizagem ativa em um curso introdutório de Probabilidade e Estatística para turmas de Engenharia, numa instituição pública brasileira. Duas turmas foram monitoradas ao longo de um semestre: na primeira, fez-se uso de aulas expositivas dialogadas (turma controle) e, na segunda, aulas com três metodologias ativas diferentes, a saber: Jigsaw, Peer Instruction e Think-Pair-Share (turma experimental). Os resultados indicam um desempenho acadêmico levemente melhor da turma experimental, assim como na frequência dessa turma. Por outro lado, a taxa de evasão manteve-se semelhante em ambas as turmas. Este estudo é parte de uma proposta de renovação para as disciplinas de cunho matemático da instituição, baseada no uso de metodologias de aprendizagem ativa e na revisão de conteúdos curriculares para atender às demandas pedagógicas atuais.

Peer Instruction in Computing Higher Education: A Case Study of a Logic in Computer Science Course in Brazilian Context

One of the challenges of Computing Education Research is the proposition of new learning methods. Researches indicate active learning methods are more effective than traditional ones. Peer Instruction is one of these learning methods that promotes a student-centered class, enabling (s)he constructs his/her comprehension through a structured approach with questions and peer discussions, used in Computing in the last years. Nevertheless, researches about the use of this method are very scarce in South America. Accordingly, this research aims to discuss the impact of Peer Instruction use on higher education from a Logic in Brazilian Computer Science course. The research context is an undergraduate course in Computer Science in the first term of 2018 at the Federal University of Jataí. Sufficient evidence was found for the veracity of two propositions related to this study: (i) Peer Instruction use guarantees a learning gain of students, and (ii) Peer Instruction is well accepted by students. Therefore, it concluded that Peer Instruction use is suitable for Logic courses in Computing Higher Education in Brazil, with good acceptance from students.

Peer instruction versus conventional group work-based teaching in a laboratory exercise on respiratory physiology: a randomized study

Collaborative teaching strategies such as peer instruction and conventional group work have previously been shown to enhance meaningful learning, but they have not previously been compared. In this present study, we compared the impact of solving quizzes with peer instruction and conventional group work on immediate learning in a laboratory exercise. A total of 186 second-year medical students were randomized to solve two quizzes by either a peer instruction strategy ( n = 93) or conventional group work ( n = 93) during a mandatory laboratory exercise on respiratory physiology, after which all students completed an individual test. There was no difference in total test scores between groups, but students randomized to peer instruction obtained the highest test scores in solving simple integrated questions. Conversely, students randomized to conventional group work provided the best evaluations of the overall assessment of the laboratory exercise. In conclusion, different collaborative teaching strategies implemented during a laboratory exercise appear to affect immediate learning and student satisfaction differently.

Co-Creating Learning in Oceanography

Using active methods to involve students in teaching improves student learning (Deslauriers et al., 2011, 2019; Freeman et al., 2014). For many teachers, breaking up a lecture with multiple choice questions and peer instruction has become an integral part of their teaching (Stains et al., 2018). We suggest involving students in creating the framework in which they learn together with their teachers (Cook-Sather et al., 2014; Bovill, 2020). Teaching then becomes more inclusive, and students try out new roles that support them in becoming more independent, secure, and responsible (Bovill, 2020). Co-creation gives students the chance to feel competent both in class and in their lives, as formative interactions make taught content more relevant to them (Boston, 2002; Black and William, 2009). Experiencing competency, autonomy, and relatedness is what makes intrinsic motivation possible (Deci and Ryan, 2000). It is thus not surprising that co-creation enhances learning and leads to more positive interactions between students and teachers (Bovill, 2020; Kaur and Noman, 2020).

Enhancing the performance of students in chemistry through flipped classroom with peer instruction teaching strategy

This study examines the implementation of flipped classroom with peer instruction teaching strategy to Grade 7 public high school students in Laguna, Philippines. To analyze the effect of flipped classroom with peer instruction on Chemistry achievement, a two-group quasi-experimental pretest-posttest research design was used. In addition, student perception and participation were conducted using a post-implementation survey. In the flipped classroom with peer instruction, the students were introduced to the lesson using the science courseware developed by the Department of Science and Technology and YouTube videos as pre-class activities. The in-class activity was focused on answering concept questions through peer instruction. Findings show that the two groups of students significantly increased their Chemistry achievement after the implementation of the teaching strategies. However, the students in the flipped classroom with peer instruction had higher Chemistry achievement, high level of participation, and wide acceptance of the teaching strategy than the control group. With this teaching strategy, the students were able to complete their assigned tasks on time, show cooperative and supportive attitude during classroom discussion and activities, share ideas in class, and show respect for the opinion of others. On the contrary, students in the traditional classroom with peer instruction setup performed poorly on these aspects of classroom participation.