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Active Student Engagement: The Heart of Effective Learning

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Book cover Global Innovation of Teaching and Learning in Higher Education

Part of the book series: Professional Learning and Development in Schools and Higher Education ((PROD,volume 11))

Abstract

The chapter’s focal argument is that the format, duration and delivery of a course are most effective when the underlying philosophy is to engage students actively in their learning. This philosophy should be at the heart of the course’s design, development and delivery. The authors draw on their experiences of higher education in both the United Kingdom and Sri Lanka and across full-time, part-time, distance learning and work-based learning to illustrate that a variety of formats and delivery approaches are possible, but the crucial element is to ensure that students are active not passive learners. This theory aligns with a learner-centred, constructivist approach and lends itself to more authentic learning. Using examples from a number of different disciplines, the authors discuss the variation that can occur in course delivery and format whilst still encouraging and supporting an active learning approach. The final section of the chapter will focus on how this approach may require staff to adopt new methods of learning, teaching and assessment and their professional development plays a crucial role, including adapting to new technologies to provide an active learning student experience.

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Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Northumbria University, Newcastle upon Tyne, UK

    Rebecca Strachan

  2. Lanka Logistics & Technologies Ltd, Ministry of Defence, Sri Lanka

    Lalith Liyanage

Authors
  1. Rebecca Strachan
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  2. Lalith Liyanage
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Correspondence to Rebecca Strachan .

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. Elon University, Elon, North Carolina, USA

    Prudence C. Layne

  2. Sheffield Hallam University, Sheffield, South Yorkshire, United Kingdom

    Peter Lake

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Strachan, R., Liyanage, L. (2015). Active Student Engagement: The Heart of Effective Learning. In: Layne, P., Lake, P. (eds) Global Innovation of Teaching and Learning in Higher Education. Professional Learning and Development in Schools and Higher Education, vol 11. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-10482-9_16

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