ERIC Number: EJ1079478
Record Type: Journal
Publication Date: 2015
Pages: 5
Abstractor: As Provided
ISBN: N/A
ISSN: ISSN-2222-1735
EISSN: N/A
Improving Students' Participation in Active Learning Methods: Group Discussions, Presentations and Demonstrations: A Case of Madda Walabu University Second Year Tourism Management Students of 2014
Tesfaye, Sewnet; Berhanu, Kassegn
Journal of Education and Practice, v6 n22 p29-32 2015
Education is a means by which people develop and acquire knowledge, skills, values and attitudes. It paves the way for development and plays a vital role (serves as a catalyst) in bringing socio-cultural, economical, technological, political and environmental advancements. The general objective of this study was to improve Second Year Tourism Management Students' participation in active learning methods (especially in group discussions, presentations and demonstrations) and identify challenges that hamper students not to participate actively in class and off class learning sessions. Descriptive research design was devised and longitudinal research design was employed. Questionnaires were distributed for all 42 second year tourism management students, and of which 35, were returned (properly filled) and valid for analysis. Secondary and primary sources of data had been used to interpret the results. To analyze quantitative data, descriptive statistical analyses of mean and standard deviation were computed using SPSS version 20.0. The findings of the study revealed that 75% of the students assured that group discussion gives them more chance to participate freely in the class than demonstrations and presentations. The study also indicated that the major challenges that hinder learners not to participate actively in group discussions, presentations and demonstrations were shortage of time, poor academic background, shyness, poor communication skills, requirements for presentations and demonstrations (formal attires, materials) and lack of preparation. The researchers have provided solutions such as to improve the student's attendance, contribution and responsibility for their learning, the first step is to motivate them by calling their name and teachers had better be friendly, sociable and approachable to learners. It is also helpful that asking students to present material to their peers (with their peers involved in the assessment) would alert all the students to be best presenter or demonstrator of the day which in return increases their subject-specific knowledge; and reinforces their immediate and the wider group's identity.
Descriptors: Foreign Countries, Student Participation, Active Learning, Group Discussion, Demonstrations (Educational), Student Projects, Public Speaking, Tourism, College Students, Longitudinal Studies, Questionnaires, Statistical Distributions, Computer Software, College Faculty, Mixed Methods Research, Focus Groups
IISTE. No 1 Central, Hong Kong Island, Hong Kong SAR. Tel: +852-39485948; e-mail: JEP@iiste.org; Web site: http://iiste.org/Journals/index.php/JEP
Publication Type: Journal Articles; Reports - Research
Education Level: Higher Education; Postsecondary Education
Audience: N/A
Language: English
Sponsor: N/A
Authoring Institution: N/A
Identifiers - Location: Ethiopia
Grant or Contract Numbers: N/A