Can Elective Course Be Used to Promote Meaningful Learning at Secondary Level? A Study of Students’ Satisfaction in School-Based Course

Abstract

The evolution of the traditional disciplinary curriculum was implemented by the education policy in Taiwan school curricula, at secondary level to create knowledge and understanding for the 21st century. This study was the first stage of the three-year research project supported by National Science Council of Taiwan, investigating the effectiveness of school-based elective courses in promote students to develop core competencies and diverse ability. A total of 17 multiple elective courses, 502 secondary level schoolgirls participated in the study. After 18-week classes in experiment, we interviewed students in depth and collected their evaluation and questionnaires. Through data analysis, the findings showed a statistically significant outcome in Teaching strategy, Learning gains, Reflective learning, and Course cognition, but except Learning attitude outcome dimensions from the survey of students’ satisfaction. Participants in the planning of self-learning content and active collection of learning profile two items outcome show no significant, further from the qualitative data analysis that the class time is too short and the first contact with elective courses so that some students cannot master learning skills but most students indicated the elective courses provided them with an opportunity to explore a wide range of subjects. This study proves that elective courses are feasible at secondary level, especially hands-on, exploratory and non-lecture courses could effectively improve students' interest in learning.



Author Information
Yuan-Tai Chen, Taichung Girls' Senior High School, Taiwan
Yong-Shun Lin, Ling Tung University, Taiwan
Yu-Te Wang, Taichung Girls' Senior High School, Taiwan
Chih-Yang Chao, Ling Tung University, Taiwan

Paper Information
Conference: ACSS2017
Stream: Teaching and Learning

This paper is part of the ACSS2017 Conference Proceedings (View)
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Posted by James Alexander Gordon