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Impact of active learning strategies on business students' learning
Author
Tang, Wai Ling
Supervisor
D'Rozario, Vilma
Abstract
Researchers have shown that active learning strategies are effective in increasing students' learning, participation and understanding. These strategies also help in fostering important higher order learning skills in students. Many employers and academicians have noted the drop in such skills in students, in particular, the inability of students to analyse and solve problems in the work place. These are also a manifestation of the surface learning approaches generally favoured by students. Many are interested to only pass the examinations and obtain a diploma, but few are motivated to probe, ask questions and exhibit other deep learning techniques important in developing higher order learning skills.
This action research project aimed to implement active learning strategies in the delivery of the Cost and Management Accounting module to second year business students in the School of Business Management in Nanyang Polytechnic. It is hoped that this will improve students' learning and confirms the strategies' importance and relevance. A survey was first conducted to analyse the students' profile (learning approaches, motivation levels, learning styles and past accounting performance) before the commencement of the module.
Active learning strategies were then implemented in the delivery of the module. Students' learning were observed and monitored in the process. Students' results of the first assessment taken are then compared against their Financial Accounting performance in the last semester to note any improvement. Based on the changes shown in performance, 50 students were selected for a second survey to investigate the impact of active learning strategies on their learning styles, learning approaches, performance and motivation levels and gather feedback and comments on students' learning experience.
Results of the survey indicate that students become more independent and some change to the deep learning approach. They are able to exhibit more analytical and higher order skills. Many show interest and motivation in the module and an improvement in performance. Most students commented that the active learning experience was beneficial and expressed an appreciation of active participation in class. The results are encouraging and reaffirm that active learning strategies do indeed make a great difference in encouraging and improving students' learning.
This action research project aimed to implement active learning strategies in the delivery of the Cost and Management Accounting module to second year business students in the School of Business Management in Nanyang Polytechnic. It is hoped that this will improve students' learning and confirms the strategies' importance and relevance. A survey was first conducted to analyse the students' profile (learning approaches, motivation levels, learning styles and past accounting performance) before the commencement of the module.
Active learning strategies were then implemented in the delivery of the module. Students' learning were observed and monitored in the process. Students' results of the first assessment taken are then compared against their Financial Accounting performance in the last semester to note any improvement. Based on the changes shown in performance, 50 students were selected for a second survey to investigate the impact of active learning strategies on their learning styles, learning approaches, performance and motivation levels and gather feedback and comments on students' learning experience.
Results of the survey indicate that students become more independent and some change to the deep learning approach. They are able to exhibit more analytical and higher order skills. Many show interest and motivation in the module and an improvement in performance. Most students commented that the active learning experience was beneficial and expressed an appreciation of active participation in class. The results are encouraging and reaffirm that active learning strategies do indeed make a great difference in encouraging and improving students' learning.
Date Issued
1996
Call Number
LB1060 Tan
Date Submitted
1996