Just by being here, you aren’t halfway there: structured active learning and its integration in virtual learning environments and assessment

Flipped learning with the incorporation of certain elements of gamification aims to improve student engagement, motivation and attainment. In this study we present an analysis of two approaches used in consecutive years on two modules. A traditional flipped learning approach “standard learning” where material is released weekly online and there are supporting tutorials and an end of term assessment; and a “structured active learning” strategy where a more scaffolded approach is applied, requiring participation to progress. In this approach students’ work on the virtual learning environment and in tutorials could be used to contribute towards their end of term assessment (no more than 10% of the module credit), connected to a learning outcome on the breadth or range of topics. Students received feedback in rubric form throughout the topic, to see their progression. It was found that for module 1, over 90% of the students had accessed the pre-released material by week 2 in the structured active learning approach while this level of engagement was only reached in week 5 using the standard approach. Participation in learning events was far better using the structured active learning approach when compared to the standard approach, for example rising from 40% to 78% in week 2. The second module, with a different cohort of students, followed similar trends with the active learning approach attracting higher levels of engagement and participation far earlier in the term. Following the increased engagement, the structured active learning approach was beneficial in assessment with improved grade profiles.