PORTAAL: A Classroom Observation Tool Assessing Evidence-Based Teaching Practices for Active Learning in Large...

Area of Science:

• Educational Psychology
• Higher Education Pedagogy
• STEM Education Research

Background:

• Extensive research confirms active learning surpasses passive lectures in effectiveness.
• Despite proven benefits, evidence-based teaching practices like active learning see limited adoption in higher education.

Purpose of the Study:

• To introduce a tool that identifies and measures instructor alignment with 21 research-supported active learning elements.
• To provide faculty with actionable feedback for improving active learning implementation.

Main Methods:

• Literature review of discipline-based education research to identify best practices for adult learners.
• Development of the Practical Observation Rubric To Assess Active Learning (PORTAAL) tool.
• Application of PORTAAL to observe 25 introductory biology instructors' active learning practices.

Main Results:

• PORTAAL effectively documents the extent to which instructors incorporate research-supported active learning practices.
• The study identified areas where instructors align well with best practices and areas for improvement.
• Classroom observations provided specific feedback for enhancing active learning implementation.

Conclusions:

• The PORTAAL tool offers a practical method for assessing and improving active learning in college classrooms.
• Bridging the gap between research evidence and classroom practice is crucial for enhancing student learning outcomes.
• Targeted feedback and guidance can support faculty in adopting effective active learning strategies.