1. Doctoral researchers’ engagement with active learning strategies: an impact of learning from the school setting?
Dr Elena Forasacco
Teaching Fellow, Graduate School

2. Session plan 1. Drawing 2. Reflection 3. Discussion
1. Draw your early learning experiences with active learning strategies (5 minutes + 5 minutes)
3. Discussion
2. Reflection
1. Drawing
3. Discussion with recommendations (5 minutes)
2. Presentation of my findings and reflection on your drawings (15 minutes)

3. Drawing experiences 1. Drawing 2. Reflection 3. Discussion
1. Draw your early learning experiences with active learning strategies (5 minutes + 5 minutes)
3. Discussion
2. Reflection
1. Drawing

4. Drawing experiences
What active learning strategies have you experienced the most from primary school to A-level?

5. Reflection 1. Drawing 2. Reflection 3. Discussion
2. Presentation of my findings and reflection on your drawings (15 minutes)

6. Overview on my project
Active learning is the most effective teaching approach in specific subjects (e.g. Wieman, 2014)
Little is known about its application for professional skills development (e.g. van Acker and Bailey, 2011)
However: in my practice not all students appear engaged with this approach to learning.
This project aimed to explore students’ perceptions of active learning strategies.
Therefore

7. In my workshops: Active learning strategies
enhance the development of professional skills
promote the exchange of knowledge among students and with tutors.
Enhance intercultural awareness and inclusivity
Blend differences to develop and enhance learning and knowledge

8. Findings: students’ highlights
1. Students’ experiences with active learning are enhanced in heterogeneous learning communities where activities are learning opportunities also to overcome language barriers while working in groups.

9. Findings: students’ highlights
2. Some students are not ready for active learning due to their previous experiences as learners, independent of cultural background and character.
Too much lecture style
Too few laboratories and activities, and only for scientific subjects

10. Discussion 1. Drawing 2. Reflection 3. Discussion
3. Discussion with recommendations (5 minutes)

11. Readiness for active learning
Students not used to active learning do not know how to behave in this context.
We need to prepare students for active learning experiences beforehand to:
increase engagement and inclusivity,
enhance the effectiveness of active learning.
Therefore

12. Recommendations Explain context and framework of the workshop
Explain benefits of engagement in activities
Explain short-term and long-term benefits of activities
Use real-life simulation to design activities
Create diversified instructions for activities suitable for all learners
Recommendations developed taking into consideration the Framework for Adult Learning (Knowles, 1990)

13. Thank you for your active participation
Questions?
Thank you for your active participation

14. References
Knowles, M. (1990). The adult learner: a neglected species. Gulf Publishing Company, 4th edition.
Van Acker L. and Bailey J. (2011). Asian Social Science 7 (4):
Vygotsky, LS. (1978). Cole M., John-Steiner V., Scribner S. and Souberman E. (eds.), Harvard University Press.
Wieman CE. (2014). Proceeding of the National Academy of Science 111 (23):