Learning How to Learn: A Six Point Model for Increasing Student Engagement

Authors : Gail CARUTH

Pages : 1-12

Doi:10.17275/per.14.06.1.2

View : 17 | Download : 8

Publication Date : 2014-12-01

Article Type : Research Paper

Abstract :Students in higher education are being taught pedagogically. Moreover, pedagogy has long persisted as the basis for the entire educational system. Education is, however, discovering that adults learn differently than children learn even though they have been taught as children were taught.  Students tend to behave dependently when they are in a structured, pedagogical educational setting. This dependent behavior may be because these learners do not know how to learn, they only know how to be taught. In pedagogy, the instructor is in charge and held entirely responsible for all learning: what is to be taught, how it is to be taught, when it is to be taught, how it is to be measured, etc. Adult students need to be taught how to learn in order to become life-long, autonomous learners. Research demonstrates that adult students being taught andragogically become engaged in the learning process. They are ready for learning, learn more, experience more meaningful learning, and enjoy learning. This paper presents a six point plan for promoting engagement for students in the college classroom: create a safe environment for learning; ask students what they need to know; explain why students are learning certain concepts, theories, skills, etc.; provide real-life learning opportunities; offer opportunities for collegial collaboration; and have students evaluate their own learning. Collaboration between educators on the six points will also increase the likelihood of engaging students. Student engagement leads to improved retention and ultimately to student success.
Keywords : Andragogy, pedagogy, adult learning, student engagement, student retention, student success