An Assessment on Challenges of Effective Active Learning the case of Undergraduate Physical Education Program at Addis Ababa University
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Date
2014-04
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Abstract
It has been about ten years since the government of Ethiopia made a new educational and
training policy. The making of the policy has been followed by the development and
implementation of different programs in order to carry forward the innovations enshrined in it.
One of the highly emphasized aspects of this policy is the need to implement an active learning
education most of the time which is expressed as student-centered, both in content and approach
with the objective of producing a problem solving citizen. Related with this, the more elaborate
aspiration of the policy is the trend towards shifting learning instructions from teacher-centered
approach to a student centered approach. Though a variety of understanding exist on what ‘a
student-centered approach’ means, the active learning approach with its qualifications as a
student-centered approach and its unquestioned relevance in the development of problem solving
citizen, it is expected that this approach is given precedence in the implementation of the policy.
Student-centered method of teaching learning as occupied an important place in modern world.
This is because it has many advantages in developing learners’ knowledge and skills. But its
advantage is realized only when it is effectively and properly applied. Based on this, the main
purpose of this study was to assess the status of implementation of active learning (studentcentered
method) in PE program of AAU.
Teachers, students, class room and practical sessions, and documents were the source of data for
this study. Questionnaire was the main data gathering instrument which was supported by
observation and document analysis.
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The result of the study indicate that most of the instructors in the PE department got different
training in teaching, but there is low understanding, methods of delivery and helpfulness to
effective teaching learning process. Also the study revealed that the students have a favorable
perception towards the method. In addition the university doesn’t supply necessary materials and
equipments that are necessary to effective implement. According to the result of the study,
teachers’ lack of appropriate training particularly related with active learning method, shortage
of instructional materials and facilities has affected the application of the method. Studentcentered
strategies like problem solving, discovery, inquiry, project, field trip and role play were
not applied by the teachers according to different challenges. Finally the study revealed that the
teachers of Physical Education department in Addis Ababa University were not properly
applying the active learning (student-centered) method. They mostly used traditional teachercentered
method
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Undergraduate Physical Education Program