Using Active Learning Methods in Lower Secondary Schools

Abstract

Every teacher has a choice to choose the teaching tools which attract pupils. Active learning methods are good tools to delegate the responsibility to pupils and thereby motivate them to be active. The paper focuses on using active learning methods in lower secondary school lessons. We conducted a sample of 120 respondents - 70 pupils and 50 teachers of lower secondary school in Slovakia. Hypotheses were statistically verified by the chi-square test. We have found that pupils see discussion methods most used in their lessons.
Most of pupils find active learning methods attractive. From the teachers' point of view, the discussion methods are the most used in lessons, as well as from the pupils' point of view. Teachers see pupils more motivated, more active and more engaged when active learning methods are used. The most common response of pupils to active learning methods is their activity and joy. We believe that the involvement of active learning methods in teaching brings benefits not only for teachers but also for pupils. Teachers agreed that the biggest disadvantage of using active learning methods in lessons is their time demanding.
From our own experience we know that not only preparation of the lesson, but also its realization is time demanding. The research has revealed interesting facts and we believe that teachers will continue to deliberately use active learning methods in their teaching. It is very important to know active learning methods well, because we are aware of the fact that some of them are not so time demanding either in preparation or in realization of lessons.