This study is based on the hypothesis that group cohesion and efficacy have significant effects on the academic performance of individuals in online (virtual) education environments no less than in-person education environments. To that end, this study explores the effectiveness of group activities in a virtual classroom environment using VC…

Technological advancements and market pressures are driving the development of pedagogical course design approaches. By using organizational design research into structuring organizations and work processes to improve effectiveness and efficiency, we focus on two structural constructs from organizational design research: standardization (of…

Research and practice have recognized the importance of informal learning--a specific type of active learning--for higher education contexts. University students learn not only in formally organized courses, but also in a self-directed and intentional way from fellow students, through trial and error, and by reflection. However, there has been a…

Whether by choice or pushed online by Covid, higher education is increasingly happening in digital spaces with digital tools forming a critical part of learning and teaching contexts. While reviews suggest such tools positively influence student engagement, research tends to be generic and more is needed to understand how and why specific tools…

Collaborative learning (CL) is a common teaching strategy in colleges that involves actively working in groups to achieve a goal. Several studies and theories endorse it as contributing to students' achievement, motivation, and higher-order thinking skills. However, these studies are inconsistent in the way they define and operationalize CL. For…

Active learning methodologies, such as flipped classroom (FC), generate a higher level of student engagement, greater dynamism in learning and more significant interactions with course content. Some other active methodologies used in the academic environment are problem-based learning (PBL) and case study (CS). There are few studies that analyse…

The importance of reflection during learning process is widely recognized. Drawing on the literature, this article presents a study where students were stimulated to reflect during experiential learning, in order to both re- and de- contextualize their knowledge. We describe how different levels of prompted reflection can be related to academic…

Teachers' knowledge of the socially shared regulation of learning (SSRL) process of learners, which consists of the task analysis, planning, elaboration, and monitoring, can help teachers intervene when students face difficulties during the collaborative learning. Students' academic emotions have major effects on their learning motivation,…

Two-phase testing assesses individual performance (phase 1) and then allows collaborative learning within small groups (phase 2). While groups typically outperform individuals, less is known about the social decision schemes that influence member collaboration. In a classroom setting, we compared individual and group performance on a standard test…

Individual learning strategies evoke (meta-)cognitive processes that enable effective goal-directed learning. Peer-directed academic help-seeking may provide new information, but related interaction processes are challenging. Applying learning strategies during help-seeking may enhance academic success. Competence in using social resources…

In recent years, the use of information technology to promote active learning in higher education has raised great interest. Teachers are continuously challenged to identify new research-informed approaches and educational practices for supporting students to actively learn and apply their knowledge. The present study tests the effects on…

Studies have demonstrated that utilizing spacing (spreading out study sessions at regular intervals) and self-testing strategies are optimal for learning. While some applied work has examined the relationship between these strategies on general academic achievement, there is still a need to explore how both spacing and self-testing are related to…

One-minute papers allow students to process what they learned during class and improve student performance. However, this activity can become monotonous and takes significantly longer than the name implies. The research described here tests the effectiveness of a briefer, more flexible version of this technique to increase the perceived relevance…

Active learning strategies, goals, values, self-efficacy and thus study motivation are all thought to affect the depth of student engagement with their work. Plagiarism is a common problem and must reflect a shallow level of student engagement. Cognitive perspectives on learning and teaching should consider how variations in attentional control…

Many students struggle with making sense of feedback information and in applying and transferring it to new contexts. Research literature suggests that low-performing students are especially at risk because they often do not understand assessment criteria and cannot utilise information they receive. This paper addresses this problem through…