An approach to engaging students in a large-enrollment, introductory STEM college course

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Published: Nov 10, 2015
DOI: https://doi.org/10.14434/josotl.v16i5.18910
Keywords:
, large enrollment, STEM, student engagement, constructivism, hybrid

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Robert John Swap
University of Virginia, USA North West University, RSA
Jonathan A Walter

Abstract

While it clear that engagement between students and instructors positively affects learning outcomes, a number of factors make such engagement difficult to achieve in large-enrollment introductory courses. This has led to pessimism among some education professionals regarding the degree of engagement possible in these courses. In this paper we challenge this pessimistic outlook through a case study involving a large-enrollment introductory, general education, STEM college course. Several pedagogical approaches related to social constructivist theory offer possibilities for increasing student engagement in the learning process, but they may be difficult to implement, particularly in environments yielding little or no reward for classroom innovation. Here, we present an approach to developing an engaging learning environment by hybridizing aspects from a range of pedagogical approaches varying from the didactic (e.g. traditional lecture) to the more constructivist (e.g. peer instruction, project-based learning). We describe the course in question and our pedagogical approach, provide evidence for its effectiveness, and discuss contextual factors affecting the development of our approach and its adoption to other subjects and institutions. We also discuss important remaining challenges regarding the adoption of our approach and similar practices.

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How to Cite
Swap, R. J., & Walter, J. A. (2015). An approach to engaging students in a large-enrollment, introductory STEM college course. Journal of the Scholarship of Teaching and Learning, 15(5), 1–21. https://doi.org/10.14434/josotl.v16i5.18910
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Vol. 15 No. 5 (2015): Journal of the Scholarship of Teaching and Learning
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Articles
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Author Biography

Robert John Swap, University of Virginia, USA North West University, RSA

Research Professor Department of Environmental Sciences

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