ERIC Number: EJ883719
Record Type: Journal
Publication Date: 2009
Pages: 14
Abstractor: As Provided
ISBN: N/A
ISSN: ISSN-1052-4800
EISSN: N/A
Creating Significant Learning Experiences in a Large Undergraduate Psychology Class: A Pilot Study
Fallahi, Carolyn R.; LaMonaca, Frank H., Jr.
Journal on Excellence in College Teaching, v20 n1 p87-100 2009
The authors redesigned a Lifespan Development course using Fink's (2003) taxonomy of significant learning and measured changes across his six domains: Knowledge, Application, Integration, Human Dimension, Caring, and Learning How to Learn. Using case studies and group work, 151 undergraduates completed identical pre- and post-tests that measured their ability to apply and integrate basic course content, empathy, self-learning, and other advanced learning skills. Students improved significantly in all but the "Learning How to Learn" domain. The findings from this pilot study demonstrate that Fink's taxonomy enables the measurement of changes in domains of advanced learning. Studies by the first author comparing significant learning in traditionally designed courses versus courses developed according to Fink's taxonomy are ongoing. (Contains 1 table.)
Descriptors: Learning Strategies, Caring, Psychology, Metacognition, Course Content, Classification, Empathy, Pretests Posttests, Case Studies, Undergraduate Students, Course Descriptions, Pilot Projects, Educational Research, Measurement, Comparative Analysis
Miami University. 303 South Patterson Avenue, Oxford, OH 45056. Tel: 513-529-9265; Fax: 513-529-9264; Web site: http://www.muohuo.edu/ject
Publication Type: Journal Articles; Reports - Research
Education Level: Higher Education
Audience: N/A
Language: English
Sponsor: N/A
Authoring Institution: N/A
Grant or Contract Numbers: N/A