Megan Mittelstadt and Leah Carmichael discuss the active learning initiative at the University of Georgia, focusing on faculty development, student training, and classroom redesign. They address student resistance, metacognition, and indicators of success in implementing active learning techniques for increased student engagement and success.
The active learning initiative at UGA focuses on professional development for faculty.
A course named Becoming an Active Learner helps students embrace active learning environments.
Faculty engagement in active learning techniques is tailored to align with student needs.
Deep dives
Active Learning Initiative at University of Georgia
The University of Georgia implemented a large-scale active learning initiative involving professional development for faculty, training students, and redesigning classrooms. The initiative stemmed from a presidential pilot initiative in 2018 with a significant investment to support effective teaching practices. By involving faculty, students, and administrators, the program aims to enhance active learning practices on campus.
Student Training and Engagement
To prepare students for active learning environments, a one-credit course named Becoming an Active Learner was created. Faculty focused on addressing student resistance by reframing it as barriers to engagement. The initiative identified student learning dispositions like curiosity and reflection, driving student programming by connecting metacognition with active learning.
Faculty Development and Support
The faculty experiences a comprehensive summer course redesign institute focusing on backward design principles. Faculty engagement in active learning techniques was tailored to align with course learning outcomes and student needs. Involving student feedback and creating a joyful teaching experience encouraged faculty to embrace student-centered teaching.
Assessment and Continuous Improvement
Assessment strategies were deployed at macro, meso, and micro levels to measure the initiative's impact. Indicators included demand for program participation, student leadership in promoting active learning, and assessment of student learning dispositions. The program aims for continuous improvement by analyzing course artifacts, measuring lifelong learning skills, and fostering unit-wide change through grants.
Future Plans and Engagement
The University plans to expand the active learning initiative by offering asynchronous online workshops and a redesigned course experience. The program will open up to visitors during the Active Learning Summit to share best practices and engage in discussions. By emphasizing continuous support, multi-level assessment, and student engagement, the initiative sets the stage for future development and collaboration.
While there is compelling evidence that active learning results in increased student learning, these initiatives often face resistance from students and faculty. In this episode, Megan Mittelstadt and Leah Carmichael join us to discuss the active learning initiative at the University of Georgia that provides professional development for faculty, active learning training for students, and for the redesign of classroom spaces. Meg is the Director of the Center for Teaching and Learning at the University of Georgia. Leah is the Director of Active Learning, also at the University of Georgia.