The Impact of Learning Environments on Student Success in an Engineering Course

Effective class learning environments promote student success. Student learning outcomes and their self-efficacy were examined in three different learning environments: lecture-based instruction in an auditorium, student-centered instruction in an auditorium, and student-centered instruction in an active learning classroom. Three hundred and eighty-four students in an engineering course participated in the study. The study found that students in an active learning classroom achieved the highest learning outcomes on the same exams after controlling for their prior learning outcomes (cumulative GPA and ACT math scores), and reported the highest post-self-efficacy after controlling for their pre-self-efficacy.

Outcomes: Explore specific active learning strategies and instructional technology adopted in the presented course * Understand how a web-based feedback platform can be adopted during class meetings to improve problem-solving skills * Understand how an active learning classroom can be leveraged to effectively facilitate problem-solving processes