- Purposefully Designed Active Learning
Active Learning, Learning by Using
Active learning is an instructional approach that emphasizes the active involvement of students in the learning process through hands-on activities, focused discussions, and problem-solving exercises. It promotes “learning by using,” enabling students to explore and apply concepts and skills, thereby fostering a deeper understanding of the subject matter.
Active learning encompasses a wide range of educational approaches that prioritize student engagement and places it at the center of learning activities. In this learner-centric approach, students actively engage in critical and creative thinking by participating in hands-on activities, while faculty members serve as facilitators and collaborators, organizing and facilitating meaningful activities that stimulate student learning.
Through active learning, students not only become proficient at solving a wide range of problems but also develop into capable individuals who can actively and confidently approach and solve new problems. This approach nurtures problem-solving skills, encourages independent thinking, fosters initiative, and equips students with the abilities required to thrive in a rapidly evolving world.
Learning is not simply sitting and passively watching TV even if it is supposed to be “educational.”. True learning occurs when students immerse themselves in a subject, such as by participating in a role-play or taking sides in a debate. It is about engaging in critical and creative thinking, making sense of what you encounter, collaborating with others, and learning by participating in the process, thereby acquiring intellectual maturity and life skills.
Active Learning At Taejae
TAEJAE uses a unique form of active learning, which harvests not only the results from many empirical studies, but also relies on pedagogical best practices that have evolved over many years.
1) TAEJAE’s Tripartite Active Learning
Pre-class: Prior to each class, students engage in pre-work, including pre-reading materials and various learning activities like polls, quizzes, and quick discussions. This work is intended to orient students so that they can easily understand the material presented in class and participate in active learning exercises. The pre-class activities prepare students for the in-class activities, so it is important to complete them beforehand.
In-class: The during-class phase focuses on short lectures followed by interactive activities, such as collaborative analysis, team problem-solving, and application of skills and knowledge. Active learning methodologies are employed to enhance student engagement, proactivity, and effective knowledge acquisition. Students are expected to participate eagerly, take responsibility for their own learning, strive to achieve the learning objectives, embrace new ideas and perspectives, and engage in collaborative and constructive discussions, accepting and understanding diverse opinions.
Post-class: Following the class session, students engage in detailed, in-depth post-reading materials to reinforce and supplement their learning. These post-class readings deepen the learning that occurred in class and allow students to make connections among concepts. If further assistance is required, students can make use of resources like Office Hours or Teaching Assistants (TAs).
Through this structured approach, Taejae University aims to optimize the learning experience by integrating pre-class preparation, active in-class participation, and post-class reflection and reinforcement.
2) Syllabus & Lesson Plans
To systematically implement active learning during class, Taejae has expended an enormous amount of effort creating thoughtful syllabi and lesson plans.
The syllabi adhere to the philosophy of “learning by using” and set course learning objectives, along with learning objectives for every single class session. The syllabi also provide specific details such as reading lists and assignments.
Each class session is guided by a lesson plan; lesson plans are a type of weekly instructional guide organically linked to the syllabus, providing a structured framework for each lesson. Each lesson plan ensures that students are focused on the session’s learning objective and that they engage with the knowledge and skills through structured activities. The lesson plans include detailed minute-by-minute plans for active learning, incorporating the most effective strategies such as polling, quizzes, focused discussions, and team projects, which are deployed on the Engageli online learning platform.
3) Capstone Project
As an integral part of active learning, the Capstone Project is the culmination of a student’s academic journey, serving as a significant challenge where they apply their knowledge and skills to develop innovative solutions for real-world problems. This project integrates the theories and foundational knowledge acquired during the first three years of study, harnessing the student’s creativity, general and specialized knowledge, and practical skills.
Students plan and execute a comprehensive project, assuming responsibility for planning, decision-making, and resource allocation. Regular communication with professors, capstone advisors, and peers enhances their communication and collaboration abilities.
The Capstone Project empowers students to take ownership of the entire process, allowing them to apply their expertise in devising innovative solutions. It deepens their understanding of their subject matter and equips them with highly sought-after transferable skills that are applicable to many professional domains.
4) Innovative Technology
TAEJAE takes pride in its high-tech educational infrastructure. To provide high quality educational experiences on these platforms, the Education Innovation Institute (EII) provides technical support services. EII identifies the best suite of platforms and programs for the TAEJAE Learning Management System (LMS), Metaverse Campus, and Digital Library. EII promises to be on the frontline of changing global standards and trends in technology, integrating them into TAEJAE to create innovative and meaningful learning experiences.
Engageli
Taejae University partnered with Engageli, a comprehensive learning environment purpose-built for education, to deliver high-quality, flexible, and collaborative virtual learning experiences. Engageli is a cutting-edge online education platform that is revolutionizing higher education. Engageli enables active learning through collaborative activities and robust real-time and post-session learning analytics. With its collaborativefeatures, such as virtual whiteboards and learner “tables,” Engageli enables instructors to create a dynamic and engaging virtual classroom experience that encourages learners to take an active part in their learning. Moreover, Engageli’s data analysis and assessment tools provide educators with detailed insights into their learners’ progress, allowing them to tailor their teaching methods to support learners as they work towards achieving their academic goals. By leveraging these features, Taejae University enhances the quality of education and promotes active and collaborative learning.