Education experts from the University of South Australia are shedding light on the secret to student success: high engagement equals high returns.
In a collaborative study with Flinders University and the Melbourne Graduate School of Education, researchers found that less than one-third of teachers are effectively engaging students in complex learning, limiting opportunities for critical thinking and problem-solving.
The study involved observing classrooms across South Australia and Victoria, revealing that almost 70% of student tasks focused on superficial learning – activities like simple Q&A sessions, note-taking, or passive listening.
Dr. Helen Stephenson, a researcher at UniSA, emphasizes the need for teachers to receive more support in planning interactive and constructive lessons that foster deep learning.
According to Dr. Stephenson, deeper learning occurs when students are highly engaged, and this engagement significantly enhances learning outcomes.
However, a substantial portion of classroom content was identified as “passive” or “active,” where students were involved in simple tasks like answering questions on a fact sheet.
To encourage deep learning, Dr. Stephenson suggests making small adjustments to existing lesson plans.
For instance, she highlights the different levels of engagement when watching a video – from silent observation (passive) to discussing the content with another student to generate ideas (interactive).
Interactive engagement involves activities where students collaborate, make judgments, propose and critique arguments, and work on problem-solving, contributing to the development of critical thinking and reasoning skills.
These skills are crucial predictors of improved learning outcomes.
The study found that many teachers may not fully appreciate the impact of their lesson tasks on different modes of student engagement.
Dr. Stephenson emphasizes the importance of professional development to shift teachers’ thinking towards practices that support deeper learning, ultimately leading to better outcomes for students.
The research, funded by the Australian Research Council, underscores the significance of transforming teaching practices to prioritize engagement and facilitate meaningful learning experiences for students.
