Overcoming the magnetism of lectures: teachers’ and students’ perceptions of and motivations regarding active learning in higher education

Abstract

The discourse surrounding active learning in higher education (HE) highlights its potential to improve learning outcomes, foster student engagement, and promote active student positionality. However, several studies have underscored instances of student resistance and institutional impediments to active learning. Given the substantial variability in experiences and perceptions among teachers and students in HE, understanding and contrasting these viewpoints could help address such obstacles to its integration. This article presents the findings of a mixed methods study that examined the perspectives of HE teachers and students regarding active learning methods, their perceived effectiveness in augmenting motivation and facilitating learning, and the challenges associated with their implementation. The study sample comprised 57 teachers and 125 degree students from Law, Nursing, and Education disciplines in two Spanish universities. We administered two surveys, 12 semistructured interviews and organized a focus group session. Data analysis involved descriptive statistics, nonparametric tests for group comparison, and qualitative content analysis. The results indicate that teachers adopt active learning to optimize learning outcomes while acknowledging that student motivation is also essential. Teachers exhibited more enthusiasm for active learning compared to students, often overlooking students’ apprehensions regarding its implementation. Notably, HE institutions appeared to provide limited support for active learning initiatives, scarcely recognizing their potential benefits. These findings suggest that overcoming the magnetism of lectures in HE may require a more profound understanding of institutional and organizational barriers to active learning while refraining from solely attributing student resistance to individual student characteristics.