The Practice and Prospects of Active Learning Methods in Wollo University
Keywords:
active learning, lecture method, learning, Higher Diploma Program (HDP)Abstract
This study was mainly designed to assess the practice of active learning in university classrooms. For this purpose instructors from the two campuses of Wollo University were conveniently selected. Data was collected using open and close ended questionnaires, interviews and observation. A total of 70 instructors filled the questionnaire. The type of research employed for this study was descriptive survey research. The collected data were organized, analyzed and interpreted both quantitatively (using percentages and mean values) and qualitatively (using narrations and descriptions). Finally, the results revealed that the instructors did practice active learning but in a low scale. Lecture methods, discussion, cooperative learning, and question-answer methods are mostly used active learning methods. There were various hampering factors affecting the overall practice of active learning strategies including shortage of time, large class size student’s lack of interest for active learning method and shortage of teaching materials. .Based on the findings, reconsidering the modular modality system and revising the training forms for instructors are recommended.
References
Dewey, J. Experience and education. New York: Touchstone, 1938.
Prensky,M.. Digital Game-based Learning. McGraw-Hill, 2001.
Bransford, J., Brown, A., & Cocking, R. (Eds.). How people learn: Brain, mind, experience, and school. Washington, D.C.: National Research Council, 1999.
Huffaker,D.A.& Calvert,S.L.. The New Science of Learning: Active Learning, Metacognition, and Transfer of Knowledge in E-Learning Applications, 2003.
Ellerman, D.P. Global institutions: Transforming international development agencies In to learning organizations. The Academy of Management Executive, 1999,13, 25-
Prince, M. Does Active learning works ?a review of research. Journal of engineering education, 2004.
Bonwell, C.C. & Eison,J.A. Active learning; Creating excitement in the classroom.ERIC Digest,19991.
Rosseau, J.J.(1762) Emile, or On Education. Emile, or On Education.” [On-line], Available https://en. wikipedia. org/wiki/ Emile,_or_On_Education. Wikipedia CC BY-SA 3.0
Piaget,J. The Origins of Intelligence In Children. INTERNATIONAL UNIVERSITIES PRESS, INC. New York, 1951.
Kolb, D. A. Experiential learning: Experience as the source of learning and development (Vol. 1). Englewood Cliffs, NJ: Prentice-Hall, 1984.
Johnson, D. W., Johnson, R. T., & Smith, K. A. Active Learning: Cooperation in the College Classroom, 1991.
Blyth ,W.A.L.(1984). Development, Experience and Curriculum in Primary Education (1st ed). London, Routledge. Available https://doi.org/10.4324/9781315147352.
Pollard,K.. Reflective Teaching: Evidence-informed Professional Practice, 2008.
The Teaching and Learning Research Programme .Personalizing Learning, 2004.
Simmons, K.& DiStasi,A. (2008). Active Learning Techniques: Engaging Students on the Road to Success. Athletic Therapy Today 13(6):6-8. DOI: 10.1123/att.13.6.6
Meyers, C. & Jones, T.B. Promoting Active Learning: Strategy for College Classrooms. Sanfrancisco, CA: Jossey/Bass inc., 1993
Bonwell, Charles C. Active learning: Creating Excitement in the Classroom, 2000.
Silberman M. Active Learning:101 Strategies to Teach Any Subject. Boston: Allyn& Bacon, 1996.
Leu, E. Quality of Education and Teacher Learning: A Review of the Literature. USA; American Institution for Research, 2005.
Livingstone, G. Taking Teacher Education Forward: Ten Steps towards Quality a Report, 2001.
Schubert, W.H. Curriculum: Perspective, Paradigm and Possibility. New York: Macmillan, 1986
Sadker, M.P and Sadker, D.M. Teachers, Schools and Society (6thed.).Boston: McGraw Hill, 2003.
Aggrawal, J.C. Principles, Methods and Techniques of Teaching. (2nd ed.).New Delhi: Vikas Publishing House Pvt. Ltd, 2001.
Frazee, et al . Integrated teaching Methods: Theory, classroom application, and field- based connections, 1995.
Arthur W. Chickering and Zelda F. Gamson (1987).”Seven Principles for good practice in undergraduate education”. American Association of Higher Education Bulletin, vol.39 (no.7), pp.3-7.
Simons , P. R. J.(n.d). Definitions and theories of active learning.
R.M, Felder and R. Brent. “Learning by Doing.” Chem. Engr. Education,37(4),282-283. The philosophy and Strategy of Active Learning, 2003.
Center for Teaching Support and Innovation. Active learning and Adapting Teaching Techniques. University of Toronto,n.d.
Selinger, H. and Shohamy. Second Language Research method. Oxford: Oxford University Press, 1998.
Ritchie, J. and L. Spencer. Qualitative Data Analysis for Applied Policy Research. In analyzing qualitative data, 1994, pp.173-194.
Daniel, Y. The implementation of active learning and continuous assessment in Pentecostal Theological college. M.A.Thesis. Addis Ababa University, Ethiopia, 2014.
Kitaw, Y. Active learning in teaching English language support courses to first-year students in some Ethiopian Universities. Doctor of Education. University of South Africa, 2017.
Burns, C. & Myhill, D. Interactive or inactive? A consideration of the nature of interaction in whole-class instruction. Cambridge Journal of Education, 34(1), 35–49, 2004.
Downloads
Published
How to Cite
Issue
Section
License
Authors who submit papers with this journal agree to the following terms.
