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Active Learning to Boost Student Attention

Active learning strategies, such as interactive activities and movement breaks, can help improve attention spans among secondary school students in the U.S. by engaging them more effectively than traditional teaching methods. Global perspectives highlight similar challenges in Japan and Germany, where student engagement is hindered by negative attitudes and distractions from technology. A combined approach that includes clear policies on mobile phone use and active learning in online environments is essential to address these issues and enhance student focus and motivation.

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0% found this document useful (0 votes)
13 views4 pages

Active Learning to Boost Student Attention

Active learning strategies, such as interactive activities and movement breaks, can help improve attention spans among secondary school students in the U.S. by engaging them more effectively than traditional teaching methods. Global perspectives highlight similar challenges in Japan and Germany, where student engagement is hindered by negative attitudes and distractions from technology. A combined approach that includes clear policies on mobile phone use and active learning in online environments is essential to address these issues and enhance student focus and motivation.

Uploaded by

sohakesaria
Copyright
© All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as DOCX, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd

TOPIC: HEALTH AND WELL-BEING

QUESTION: HOW CAN active learning in secondary


schools improve on low attention span among
students in United states of America?

INTORDUCTION
Active learning engages students in the process of learning through activities and/or discussion in class as
opposed to passively listening to an expert. It emphasizes higher order thinking and often involves group work.
(Freeman et al, 2014)
Throughout every level of education, there are frequently issues with students’ ability to maintain their
attention throughout the entirety of a lesson. Specifically, first grade students tend to have an extremely
difficult time with attention spans. Many studies have focused on the challenge of lack of attention in students
both with learning disabilities and without any diagnosed learning disabilities. Other studies have looked into
ways to assist students in learning to better control and increase their attention spans. In this study, scheduled
implemented exercise/movement breaks in the classroom will be observed as a potential additional strategy
that may help first grade students to develop increased attention spans. (Stasch, K. 2014)

GLOBAL PERSPECTIVE
Japan
Despite efforts to make school science appealing, students’ negative attitude toward it persists globally. This
qualitative study elucidates how and why undergraduate students in Japan had declining attitudes toward
school science during primary and secondary school. Twenty-two first- and second-year students at a Japanese
national university participated in small focus group discussions. Data sources were the participants’ focus
group data and written accounts on factors that influenced their attitudes toward school science. The
grounded theory approach was applied to code the data, which resulted in 42 codes under 11 domains. As the
analysis progressed from lower to higher grades, the domains diversified and the frequency of codes
increased. The resulting hypothetical model comprising 10 code domains reveals the complex
interrelationships that cause attitudinal decline toward school science. ‘Understanding’ is positioned at the
centre of the model, thus indicating the importance of cognitive aspects when considering this affective issue.
The findings indicate that the development of two teaching methods is urgent: a mathematics-centric
approach and innovative hands-on learning. (Naganuma, S. 2023)

Germany
World language educators are continuously struggling to keep students engaged and paying attention during
class time (Cox & Montgomery, 2019). Teachers are competing with 3 technological advances and the ease of
instant entertainment that students have at their fingertips. One of the problems with this is that not all public
schools are prohibiting mobile phones in the classrooms, and these may distract learners in the classroom.
When there is not a school-wide policy on cell phones, this leaves teachers to make their own decisions in
their individual classrooms (Mupinga, 2017). This is difficult to enforce because some students argue that not
all their teachers prohibit cell phones in the classroom. Because cell phone use may be a distraction in the
classroom, this creates a fight between the teacher’s lesson and the instant entertainment on the cell phones.
Studies suggest that students need to pay attention in class to learn the content, but when they are engaged in
social media, they are distracted (Belur, et al .2015)

NATIONAL PERSPECTIVE
The number of undergraduate students in the US taking online classes has increased significantly over the past
decade. According to survey data for 2003–2004 from the US National Center for Education Statistics (NCES)
(2015), 15.6% students were taking some distance or online classes and, in 2011–2012, the ratio rose to 32.0%.
The trend of online classes in economics departments shows a similar trend. In this circumstance, online
courses in economics have become an important part of student learning and active learning has big hand in
the improvement. Until now, however, we have not seen markedly positive effects of online teaching. (NCES )

PERSPECTIVE EVALUATION
Education in Japan, Germany, and the US faces challenges with student engagement. In Japan, students show a
negative attitude toward science, needing more hands-on and math-focused learning. In Germany, mobile
phones distract students, and the lack of clear school policies makes it hard to manage. In the US, online
courses are growing but haven't shown significant improvement yet. Across all three, the struggle to effectively
engage students and manage distractions is a common issue.

EVALUATION OF SOURCES
All of this information is from doctors, scientist and professional teachers from all around the world and are up
to date from the years 2010 to 2024. They also have statistics to back up all the data and all the claims being
made.

COURSE OF ACTION
To address the challenges of student engagement and attention in classrooms, a combined approach could be
implemented. For example, incorporating more interactive and hands-on activities like group work, movement
breaks, and practical applications of subjects could help improve attention and interest. Schools could also
implement clear policies on mobile phone use to minimize distractions. Additionally, for online learning
environments, adopting more active learning strategies, such as discussion-based sessions and problem-
solving tasks, could help boost student engagement and improve outcomes. Ultimately, engaging students with
diverse teaching methods tailored to their needs is key to overcoming these challenges.

REFLECTION
Earlier, I believed that student disengagement was mainly due to a lack of interest in the subject matter or
poor teaching methods. However, after conducting this research, I now realize that the issue is much more
complex. Factors like distractions from technology, the need for more interactive and hands-on learning, and
the importance of movement breaks to improve attention are all crucial. I understand now that a combination
of strategies, such as limiting distractions, incorporating active learning, and providing more engaging, practical
activities, is essential to keeping students focused and motivated.

WORDS: 930

References
Examining the link between preschool social-emotional competence and first grade academic achievement: The role of
attention skills. Retrieved from Early childhood Research Quarterly, 26(2011), 182-191.
[Link] Acssesed 2015

Novak, J.D. and Canas, A.J. (2008). The theory underlying concept maps and how to construct and use them. Technical
Report IHMC CmapTools 2006-01 Rev 2008-01 (retrieved from [Link]
Acssessed 2016

e: Phil Klein (2003) Active Learning Strategies and Assessment in World Geography Classes, Journal of Geography, 102:4,
146-157, DOI: 10.1080/00221340308978539: [Link] Acssesed 2014

Allgood, Sam, William B. Walstad, and John J. Siegfried. 2015. “Research on Teaching Economics to Undergraduates.”
Journal of Economic Literature 53 (2): 285–325. Acsessed 2018

Aguilar, Mike, and Daniel Soques. 2013. “MacroJournal— Turning Students into Practitioners.” Journal of Economic
Education 44 (3): 230–37. Acssesed 2012

Ball, Sheryl B., Catherine Eckel, and Christian Rojas. 2006. “Technology Improves Learning in Large Principles of
Economics Classes: Using Our WITS.” American Economic Review 96 (2): 442–46. Accsesed 2016

Abrahams, I., & Reiss, M. J. (2012). Practical work: Its effectiveness in primary and secondary schools in England. Journal
of Research in Science Teaching, 49(8), 1035–1055. [Link] Acssesed 2021

Archer, L., DeWitt, J., Osborne, J., Dillon, J., Willis, B., & Wong, B. (2010). “Doing” science versus “being” a scientist:
Examining 10/11-year-old schoolchildren's constructions of science through the lens of identity. Science Education, 94(4),
617–639. [Link] Accssesed 2020

Common questions

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Differences in educational policies regarding technology use significantly impact student learning and engagement in Germany and the United States. In Germany, the lack of clear, school-wide policies on mobile phone use leaves individual classrooms without consistent guidelines, leading to varying and often ineffective strategies to manage distractions. This can diminish student engagement and learning. In contrast, the U.S. education system is increasingly adopting online platforms, yet without significant governance on engaging teaching practices, these platforms have not consistently improved learning outcomes. Clearer technology policies and more emphasis on active learning are essential in both countries to optimize educational environments and student engagement .

Mobile phone usage in classrooms distracts students and competes with the instructional content for attention. In Germany, the absence of clear school-wide policies on mobile phones complicates management, as teachers must independently decide on their classroom rules, leading to inconsistency and resistance from students. In the United States, similar issues persist, where the rise of distractions from mobile devices challenges maintaining student focus. Implementing clear, consistent policies that restrict the use of mobile phones during class could minimize distractions, thereby improving student engagement and learning outcomes in both countries .

Educational systems in Japan, Germany, and the United States commonly face challenges in student engagement due to distractions, declining interest in subjects, and varied teaching effectiveness. In Japan, students express negative attitudes towards science, necessitating more hands-on, math-focused learning. In Germany, mobile phones in classrooms distract students, exacerbated by the lack of clear policies. In the United States, growing online courses have yet to show significant improvements in engagement. Suggested strategies include implementing active learning methods like group work, practical applications, and clear mobile phone policies to address distractions and stimulate student interest .

The shift towards more interactive and hands-on educational approaches is recommended as part of a comprehensive strategy to enhance student engagement across different educational systems. This shift emphasizes the need for diverse teaching methods tailored to student needs, including movement breaks, group work, and practical applications of subjects. This approach seeks to address common challenges such as technological distractions and reduced interest in traditional educational formats, encouraging student participation and fostering a deeper understanding of the subject matter. Education systems are urged to implement active learning strategies to maintain students' attention and motivation, thereby improving overall learning outcomes .

In Japan, there is a notable decline in student attitude toward science during primary and secondary education. This is attributed to a lack of engaging, hands-on, and math-focused learning experiences. The Japanese educational system's current challenge is to develop teaching methods that emphasize cognitive understanding to reverse this trend. In contrast, in the United States, while there is a growing emphasis on active learning, particularly online, there remains a need to demonstrate significant improvement in learning outcomes. Thus, active learning strategies are critical in both contexts but are applied to address different challenges: in Japan, they counter declining interest in science, whereas in the United States, they aim to enhance attention and engagement .

Hands-on learning activities play a pivotal role in overcoming negative attitudes towards science by actively engaging students and making learning more practical and relevant. In the Japanese context, where there is a noted decline in interest in school science, these activities are crucial for engaging students and promoting better cognitive understanding. By making scientific concepts tangible and fostering a participatory learning environment, hands-on activities can help revitalize students' interest and motivation towards science education .

Integrating movement breaks into classroom routines helps improve first graders' attention spans by providing necessary physical and mental breaks. These breaks encourage students to reset their focus, enhance their readiness to learn, and reduce the cognitive load. Studies suggest that physical activity positively affects cognitive function, which, when scheduled as part of active learning strategies, leads to increased concentration and engagement during lessons .

The rise of online learning platforms in the United States poses challenges to student engagement and attention. While the flexibility and accessibility of online courses have increased enrollment, the impact on student learning outcomes has been less clear, as they have not demonstrated markedly positive effects. Active learning strategies, such as discussion-based sessions and problem-solving tasks, are thus essential to enhance engagement and improve outcomes. By making online courses more interactive and engaging, these strategies can help counteract the distractions and passive consumption typical in the virtual learning environment .

Student engagement techniques are crucial in enhancing the effectiveness of online learning environments in the United States. Despite the increasing popularity of online classes, they have not demonstrated significantly positive outcomes, often due to a lack of active participation and high engagement levels. Incorporating student engagement techniques, such as discussion-based sessions, project-based learning, and real-life problem-solving tasks, can make online learning more interactive. These techniques encourage student participation, foster collaboration, and lead to deeper learning experiences, ultimately improving learning outcomes in online settings .

Incorporating active learning strategies, such as movement breaks and group work, engages students in the learning process and emphasizes higher-order thinking. This engagement is crucial in addressing attention span issues prevalent in secondary schools. Such strategies foster student participation and collaboration, which can lead to improved retention and understanding of the material. Active learning also helps in countering the disengagement often caused by distractions like mobile phones, thus maintaining student focus. These interactive approaches not only increase attention spans but also enhance learning outcomes by creating a more dynamic and inclusive classroom environment .

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