When I started my journey as a teacher I was a bit worried about how to create a course where my students are active and not only listening. During this two week topic I have learnt much about synchronous and asynchronous learning, as well about blended learning.
In our PBL3 group we we decided to use Bloom´s Tax level 4 to design how to achieve active learning via blended learning. In order to do that in our groupwork, we applied online engagement elements: social, emotional, collaborative, cognitive and behavioral in our design. The result where a guide for us to use when doing the next course design, which I definitely will apply.
An other PBL group where focusing how to enhance mental wellbeing for learners and educators while doing blended learning. The results where supporting similar findings as our group and are very useful for course design.
I want to of course reflect back to my own time as a student. Where I an active student? In some subject: yes. But mostly there were much more interesting things going on than the lessons. But where the lessons designed for active learning and what did educators do at that time? The lessons were for sure designed as a static information and the teacher where probably not aware of ONL and all the digital tools. SO I went through the the literature for looking for reasons, what has been changing during the few years.
Martin Weller wrote that actually, student retentions is globally of course, important for the student, to get a proper education, but also of great importance for the universities as well, in their competition of fundings and reputation. The university’s over the world actually reports that student retention increased when the fee system shifted to some financial contribution from the student. So for the universities, research and education of ONL is a way of keeping students at the universities and finalising the their studies. BUt also, same course designed for both online and face to face course, the online course had much higher level of drop outs. What ever is the real reason, I think it will be win win for all when we educators are enhancing the active learning. And when we reach our goals I am sure that gives also mental wellbeing for all of us.
As I find it difficult to activate my students during my lessons, I am sure these findings during the PBL group session will support my journey as a teacher and I hope that in a future, even the most passive students will take a steps towards more active learning when I practice my new skills as a teacher.
Weller, M., van Ameijde, J. & Cross, S. (2018). Learning Design for Student Retention. Journal of Perspectives in Applied Academic Practice, 6(2)
Marion Mitter
December 10, 2022 — 8:32 pm
I think that online courses have a higher drop out rate as distance learning if it is not well designed. So the reason for distance learning is that learners are learning alone and lose motivation. Learning in groups can prevent the high drop out rate.