A Critical Examination of the Integration of Selected Active Learning Strategies as an Approach

to Improve Student Engagement Within the Construction Studies Classroom

Student: Ryan Dinneny Supervisor: Maria Moore

Introduction Active Learning Dominant Themes

Context of Research: Active learning is a way of teaching that Figure 1 illustrates the Figure 1 Three dominant themes developed from the analysis of data are:
enables students to get involved in the lesson and enables students characteristics of active Characteristics of Active Learning
1. Learning With Passion Using Active Learning in the
to take the lead allowing a student-centred approach to the learning. Construction Studies Classroom.
classroom (Lorenzon, 2001). From my experiences on School In order to veer away This theme suggests that student engagement in active learning
Placement and as a student teacher, I have observed that integrating from the traditional creates a positive classroom climate. “The classroom atmosphere is
active learning methodologies achieves high-quality student teacher-centred positive as there is a fun and exciting environment created”
engagement in the classroom. During my time as a secondary classroom, active (ARCR#1, p.1).
school student, I struggled to retain information in classes that solely learning methodologies 2. Igniting a Spark Engaging Students Through Active
consisted of notetaking and lecture-style teaching. Now, as a have become a favoured Learning.
teacher, I try to incorporate as many active learning methodologies approach to include This theme highlighted that students engage better in activities
as possible to get the students involved in the lesson. Learning student-centred learning where they must get active and voice their opinions. This
involves actively creating understanding from experiences (Bruner, in the classroom (Van De encourages students to think for themselves and produce their ideas
1960). The Hot Seat, The Jigsaw Method and Think-Pair-Share are Bogart, 2016). Literature as they don’t want to be the only student with no input. It gives
the main active learning methodologies used as part of this research suggests active learning students an incentive to contribute to the class as their peers are
study. Literature is woven throughout this poster. is a positive approach in also contributing. “Students engage better in activities where they
teaching to improve must get active and give opinions” (ARCR#1, p.1).
Research Aim and Objectives student engagement. Note: From Characteristics of Effective Learning: A Unique Child by Twinkl 2023. 3. The Potential of Student-Teacher Action Research to
Develop Professional Relationships With Co-Operating
Aim: To carry out a critical examination of the integration of selected Teachers.
active learning strategies as an approach to improve student Thematic Analysis This theme established that the cooperating teachers found it
engagement within the construction studies classroom. beneficial when observing student teachers as they could see first-
Williams et al. (2023) advocate that data analysis consists of using several methods to hand how these active learning strategies work. The cooperating
The research objectives are to: analyse the information gathered. The main aim of the analysis is to identify themes teacher got an insight into the benefits of using technology in the
1. Clarify terminology, including active learning strategies, amongst the data gathered that addressed the aim of this study, which is to carry out a classroom to simplify the active learning strategy. “I strongly believe
practitioner research and action research. critical examination of the integration of selected active learning strategies as an that the students hugely benefit from these strategies” (INT#2, p.3).
2. Conduct a literature analysis study of active learning, including approach to improve student engagement within the construction studies classroom.
relevant educational theory. The analysis method used here is based on an adaption of the Braun and Clarke model
3. Conduct original primary research, using action research (2023). The adapted method is called the Atlantic Technological University four stage Conclusions and Recommendations
methodology, on active learning strategies in a fifth year model of thematic analysis and involves four steps. Firstly, I coded a critical reflection
Construction Studies class. which was one of my reflective journaling data-gathering methods. For Validity, my Conducting this action research study has developed my teaching
dissertation circle group then co-coded the document. From this, I continued coding. I perspectives on the different styles of teaching. Active learning has
then generated cluster themes from which I developed dominant themes. This was been a teaching style that I feel has made a positive impact on
Methodology and Methods followed by the final write up. student engagement in my classroom. Following on from this study, I
Action research is the methodology used in this action research Figure 2 Figure 3 aim to implement active learning going forward in my teaching
study. The researcher gathers information by actively partaking in the Braun & Clarke Six Step Thematic Analysis ATU Four Stage Thematic Analysis practices. I am confident from this study that active learning
research, while also working alongside other practitioners (Huang, 1 strategies benefit student engagement and allow them to succeed in
Familiarisation Stage 1: Coding
2010). with data and co-coding their learning. I also recommend that professional teachers benefit
validation from this research study and integrate active learning into their
The following data-gathering methods were used: 6 2 teaching practices.
Producing Generation of
• Reflective Journaling the report initial codes
• Interviews Six-Step ATU
• Observations Stage 4: Write- Stage 2: Acknowledgements
Thematic up and provide Thematic Generate
evidence cluster themes

Ethical considerations in action research are critical as part of this 5

Analysis Analysis I would like to thank module leader Dr Pauline Logue, and my
Defining and
3 dissertation supervisor Maria Moore for their continuous guidance,
research study. The European Code of Conduct for Research naming
Searching
assistance and feedback in my research study over the course of my
for themes
Integrity (2023) outlines that researchers treat research participants themes
final year. Thanks also to my dissertation circle meeting group for the
Stage 3:
and subjects (whether they are human, animal, cultural, biological, 4 Generate
advice and continuous development to help one another along this
dominant
environmental, or physical) and associated data with respect and Reviewing
themes themes process.
care, adhering to legal provisions and ethical principles. Note: Authors Unpublished Original 2023
Note: Authors Unpublished Original 2023

Ryan Dinneny Coding QR Code References QR Code Dissertation QR Code

Atlantic Technological University
Email: G00391688@atu.ie
Website: ryandinneny.weebly.com
Phone: 0862171620