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Authentic learning: a paradigm for increasing student motivation in an era of mass education

conference contribution
posted on 2023-05-23, 17:09 authored by Susan JonesSusan Jones, Casper, RM, Julian DermoudyJulian Dermoudy, Jonathan OsbornJonathan Osborn, Brian YatesBrian Yates
If universities are to meet federal targets for mass participation in higher education, they must find new strategies for engaging both prospective and current students. Both prospective and current students need to see the relevance of their studies to a future career, and to understand how the knowledge and skills they gain at university will translate into future professional practice. Authentic learning describes an educational approach that is framed around providing "real life" contexts for learning. It provides a powerful paradigm within which to shape a new approach to the design of educational programs. Herrington and Herrington (2006) defined nine characteristics of authentic learning environments. Using these as a framework, we have designed two checklists that allow academics to evaluate the degree to which their units or teaching activities align with the principles of authentic learning. Through a faculty-wide teaching development project, we are encouraging academics across diverse disciplines to review and refine current practice, with the aim of increasing student motivation through provision of authentic learning opportunities. The project itself employs authentic learning strategies to motivate and engage the participating academics. In this paper, we report on implementation strategies, and present initial evaluation data. Outcomes of this project will include: an increased awareness of the principles of authentic learning across a large faculty; introduction of new learning activities; and a resource containing exemplars of an authentic learning approach to educational design.

History

Publication title

Cultures of Learning

Editors

CALT

Pagination

52-59

Department/School

School of Natural Sciences

Publisher

CALT

Place of publication

Launceston, Tasmania

Event title

Teaching Matters 2010 Conference

Event Venue

University of Tasmania

Date of Event (Start Date)

2010-11-25

Date of Event (End Date)

2010-11-25

Repository Status

  • Restricted

Socio-economic Objectives

Teaching and curriculum not elsewhere classified

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