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Active and Experiential Learning: the Impact on Student Outcomes

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Active and Experiential Learning: the Impact on Student Outcomes Because learning changes everything.® ACTIVE AND EXPERIENTIAL LEARNING: THE IMPACT ON STUDENT OUTCOMES PAGE 1 Martin de Tours School of Management and Systems department at MSME have been more complex picture. What kinds of activities are Economics (MSME Business School) was innovating with the use of educational technology best for active learning? What is most effective? established 50 years ago as the flagship unit of to enhance teaching and learning and how they set What is the best balance between passive and Assumption, the first international university of up the introduction of a new e-learning resource to active learning? While there is already a huge Thailand. With students from over 80 countries, formally evaluate its effectiveness and in doing so body of research into the theory of active learning MSME provides a rich, multi-cultural environment add to the national conversation in Thailand about by internationally renowned educational theorists in which to develop the leaders of the future. educational reform. and cognitive psychologists such as John Dewey, Jean Piaget and Lev Vygotsky, what is perhaps MSME strives to offer a range of diverse and But what is active learning? We see an early still needed, particularly within national contexts, is practical undergraduate business curricula in an example of it in ancient Greece in the form of the further investigation of the specifics in an attempt enriched international learning environment. They Socratic method - learning through “cooperative to answer those broad questions. The study place great emphasis on nurturing their students argumentative dialogue between individuals, based conducted last year at MSME adds to the empirical to be business practitioners with an entrepreneurial on asking and answering questions to stimulate and anecdotal picture specifically around the use of spirit and solid English communication skills, as critical thinking...” Rather than the passing down technology to create active learning opportunities well as providing a strong network of alumni, of absolutes from one generation to the next, both in and out of the classroom. entrepreneurs and industries. active learning sees education as something that allows students to evaluate, question and connect Students at MSME are encouraged to develop a thoughts and ideas - to apply their own minds global mindset and they are supported to develop to learning rather than simply having learning 1. John Dewey, Experience & Education, 1938, First Touchstone the well-rounded skills they will need to adapt and Edition 1997 p17 imparted to their minds. thrive in the ever-changing business environment. 2. Bonwell, Charles; Eison, James (1991). Active Learning: Creating Excitement in the Classroom. Information Analyses There is no doubt that traditional transmission - ERIC Clearinghouse Products (071). pp. 3. ISBN 978-1-878380- teaching has its value too, after all, what is 08-1. ISSN 0884-0040. education if not the passing along of established knowledge, frameworks and rules from one generation to the next? In Experience and Education, 19381, renowned educational theorist John Dewey writes: “The history of educational INTRODUCTION theory is marked by opposition between the idea that education is development from within and that Though ‘active learning’ is a well-established system of Higher Education must strive to be on the it is formation from without.” Calling for less ‘either- pedagogical approach, well supported by a body same footing as that from other countries if their or’ thinking, Dewey was nevertheless a leading of research and more enthusiastically embraced citizens are to be competitive in the international proponent of active learning, seeking to answer the at lower levels of education in many countries, the market. This level of risk is not conducive to question: “How shall the young become acquainted integration of active learning principles has been creative experimentation in the design of Higher with the past in such a way that the acquaintance much slower in Higher Education globally. This Education courses. Traditional education methods is a potent agent in the appreciation of the living may be explained by many factors both cultural are appealing because we know they work – well present?” In other words, how can we nurture and practical. It is difficult to enact large-scale enough, at least. young minds so that they are not only able to change across institutions that are completely take on board the learning of the past but also independent from one another and free from the Nevertheless, we are seeing a ‘new education,’ have the skills and abilities to build upon it for imposition of prescribed direction by government. where active and experiential learning are the future? It is also risky to enact large-scale change when emphasised, gain strength as universities around 2 students’ achievements in Higher Education – the world adapt to some of the big global trends Bonwell (1991) offers a very simple definition more accurately the perception of the standard that are shaping society in the 21st century, of active learning: “In active learning, students of their education by employers – are linked so particularly the growth of technology and the participate in the process and students participate explicitly to their future career potential. Even changing ‘skills’ picture. In this paper we look when they are doing something beyond passively more so in a global environment when a national at how faculty in the Management Information listening.” Beneath this simplicity of course lies a PAGE 2 PAGE 3 Educational technology is a practical and cost- which aims to ensure that the educational system effective way to include more opportunities for is fit for the 21st century and the challenges and experiential learning in the classroom. While opportunities presented by the mega global trends INTRODUCING SIMNET we know that many universities are building of rapid technological advancement, globalization relationships with local business and industry to and demographic change. This national plan for build into their courses opportunities for real-life education, which is both outward looking and AT MSME work experience, technology allows educational forward looking, is very much in keeping with It is against this backdrop that Dr. Vasa Buraphadeja quickly. When I found out about SIMnet it was institutions to bring authentic ‘virtual’ learning the MSME’s mission to: ‘educate graduates with and his team in the Management Information like a light bulb moment. Here was a ready-made experiences into the classroom instantly and entrepreneurial spirit, global competency, and Systems faculty at MSME have been working in solution that did everything we needed it to, and on a massive scale, giving students frequent social responsibility.’ Moreover, one of the four recent years to build on traditional methods of which we could roll out straight away.” opportunities to turn theory into practice – to move pillars of the school’s strategic plan to 2023 is teaching and learning to improve student outcomes from passive learning to active application. focused on the ‘increased utilization of ICT in and provide them with authentic workplace A curriculum change in 2018 offered the perfect MSME’s core functions by integrating digitalization and business experiences that will set them up opportunity to introduce something new, while the Indeed, greater integration of technology in into MSME operations and building an ICT for success in their careers. A member of the professor also realized that it presented a good education is one of the central themes of the innovative culture in MSME.’ opportunity to scientifically evaluate the impact latest national plan for education in Thailand – the Assumption faculty since 2001, Dr. Buraphadeja of blended e-learning – a mixture of online and National Scheme of Education (2017-2036) – had already begun looking into how he could blend online and offline in a way that was beneficial for classroom learning – versus traditional face to the setting, and had been experimenting with the face teaching and learning. He found that there use of technology to enhance students’ learning. had been very few in-depth studies evaluating the He and a colleague had started to build their own potential of blended e-learning in the context of in-house web-based virtual learning environment. Thailand, and none that he could find that offered a “But it wasn’t very user friendly!” he says. “It took a direct comparison of outcomes of students taught lot of work to set up tasks for students. We wanted with and without a blended approach. a way of being able to disseminate tasks more WHAT IS SIMNET? SIMnet is an online learning system that provides Each interactive tutorial has three stages – learning and assessment solutions for Microsoft ‘show me’, ‘guide me’ and ‘let me try’. In the first Office, Windows OS, Computer Concepts, File stage, students watch a video demonstration Management and Internet Browsers, which can of the operation; at the second stage they try it be integrated with other Learning Management themselves, with supportive prompts; and finally, Systems. With a clear and intuitive user interface, at the third stage they try the operation unaided. students can easily navigate lessons, resources, This learn, practice, and apply model is perfect for projects, exams and SIMbooks. SIMbooks are active learning, enabling students to learn by doing electronic textbooks through which
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