Learning by Doing
From 1999 through 2002, the Learning by Doing program, supported by The Bush Foundation and the Office of the Chancellor, provided training and funding to support innovative instructional projects that incorporate active learning pedagogies in MnSCU classrooms. The aim of this program was to help faculty develop expertise in a teaching method that has been proven to foster critical thinking and problem-solving skills. Active learning provides a necessary complement to traditional (and then-prevalent) methods of instruction and assessment (i.e., lecture and testing) and enhances the learning process for students at all MnSCU institutions.
Learning by Doing was the first project funded by a grant from The Bush Foundation to the combined Minnesota State Colleges and Universities system.
Outcomes
- The faculty innovation projects resulted in more state college and university students being enrolled in courses that use active learning and instructional technology teaching strategies.
- Faculty participated in training that gave them knowledge and skills in using active-learning and instructional technology strategies. Faculty reported that they had become more aware of and participate more in campus-based and statewide teaching improvement activities.
- State college and university faculty report similar understandings of what active learning is, how better to use instructional technology, and how to support student learning.
- Through the Learning by Doing evaluation research, the Office of the Chancellor knows more specifically what faculty do in the classroom and what kinds of support they need to be more effective teachers.
The grant resulted in improved student learning, more active teaching, and increased levels of ongoing faculty professional development.
