The University of Georgia created the Active Learning Quality Enhancement Plan (QEP) with an overarching aspiration: to create a culture of active learning for UGA undergraduates. Within a culture of active learning, students are active participants in the classroom, learning is understood as the construction of knowledge rather than its absorption, and instructors guide students to construct knowledge while actively reflecting upon the process of learning. To strengthen UGA’s culture of active learning, the QEP will develop and implement programming in three distinct but interrelated areas:
Instructor Development
Student Engagement
Classroom Enhancements
UGA’s Active Learning QEP is unique in integrating significant attention and resources across all three areas. It includes a plan to assess the implementation of initiatives in each area, as well as a robust set of direct and indirect measures to assess outcomes for student learning and development across the breadth of the program.
Timeline for the Active Learning Initiative
Year One (2022-2023)
The goal of the first year of the Active Learning Initiative was to introduce our campus community to the Active Learning Initiative.
Year Two (2023-2024)
This year’s goal is to build on this success by fostering awareness for the Initiative by scaling up each of the existing programs and encouraging those beyond the University to learn more about the programming offered under this initiative.
Year Three (2024-2025)
In year three of the initiative, the Office of Active Learning plan will move from the purpose of expanding awareness about the Active Learning Initiative to focusing on reflecting on how the implementation of the initiative has directly impacted student learning and making any key changes based on the findings of our assessment of the initiative’s impact.
Year Four (2025-2026)
The fourth year will focus on a continued reflection on how the initiative’s implementation has directly impacted student learning, as well as to assess the impact of any changes we have made to the programming based on our assessment framework.
Year Five (2026-2027)
In the final year of this initiative, the Office of Active Learning will offer a framework for how other colleges and universities may implement a similar active learning culture change, including the programming, the funding and operational details, the assessment framework, and the evolution of the programming based on the assessment findings.
Upcoming Opportunities
What is the Quality Enhancement Plan (QEP)?
The Quality Enhancement Plan (QEP) is a component of the reaffirmation process that reflects and affirms the commitment of the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC) to enhancing the quality of higher education in the region and to focusing attention on student learning. The QEP describes a carefully designed course of action that addresses a well-defined and focused topic or issue related to enhancing student learning and/or student success. The QEP’s topic should be identified through or in concert with the institution’s ongoing integrated planning and evaluation process. Developing a QEP as a part of the reaffirmation process is an opportunity for the institution to demonstrate its commitment to continuous improvement of student learning and student success – the most fundamental role of any institution of higher education. The Active Learning Quality Enhancement Plan can be found here.
What is Active Learning?
Active learning includes instructional practices that engage students in learning (Prince, 2004). The instructor is an expert guide through activities and situations where students must engage deeply with the content to achieve desired learning outcomes (Mayer, 2004).
Active learning may include single-class or multiple-class activities to target specific instructional goals, or it can be used as a pedagogical approach to designing a curriculum in a manner that integrates multiple instructional goals.
Why is Active Learning important for students?
What is UGA doing to encourage a vibrant culture of active learning on campus?
To strengthen the active learning culture at UGA, this initiative will:
(1) Provide instructors with resources, support, and training to promote active learning in undergraduate classrooms… Learn more
(2) Raise students’ awareness of the techniques and benefits of active learning and support their engagement inside and outside the classroom … Learn more
(3) Transform learning spaces for active learning through classroom and infrastructure updates… … Learn more
Student Learning Outcomes
The University of Georgia seeks to enhance student learning by institutionalizing evidence-based active learning practices across the undergraduate curriculum. The student learning outcomes (SLOs) for the Active Learning Initiative include four lifelong learning dispositions:
Curiosity – Students will demonstrate curiosity by exploring a topic, yielding insight and interest.
Initiative – Students will demonstrate an ability to initiate learning by identifying and pursuing opportunities to expand knowledge, skills, and/or abilities.
Reflection – Students will demonstrate an ability to reflect on the relationship between old and new concepts and skills, how they best learn, and broadened perspectives about educational and life events.
Connection – Students will be able to recognize and connect the role of active learning and their development of knowledge and skills.
Program Goals
The Active Learning initiative amplifies active learning by meeting three mutually reinforcing goals for instructor development, student support, and infrastructure improvements. Each goal guides programmatic initiatives, and the defined student learning outcomes stem from the impact of these targeted strategies:
Instructor Development – Expand the use of active learning pedagogies in undergraduate courses by trained instructors.
Student Engagement -Prepare students for active learning inside and outside the classroom.
Classroom Enhancement -Transform learning spaces for active learning through classroom & infrastructure updates.
Please review UGA’s Active Learning Quality Enhancement Plan (QEP) to learn more.