Parents/Alumni

Alumni/Parents

What are other Alumni and Parents are saying about active learning and the enhancement of higher order thinking skills?

"Active learning means less lecture and more student participation." - UT Arlington Alumnus
"Active learning means participating in the learning experience through hands-on activities, real-world examples from experienced faculty that challenge our thoughts and ideas." - UT Arlington Alumnus
What kids learn in the college classroom needs to be able to connect to the real-world. I need to know that what my daughter is learning is going to help her become more viable in the job market and more apt to have a successful career. I don't think colleges should try hokey educational methods that won't make a difference in a job interview or on a resume. These kids are here to learn and to finish growing into adults-what they learn in college should be able to last them a lifetime." - Parent of a UT Arlington Student
"You don't go to college just for a piece of paper; you need to know that what you're doing is going to be of value to you--so I want to know what kinds of things go on in the classroom and what my son will really be learning because it affects the value of his degree and the course of his career." - Parent of a UT Arlington Student

Fast Facts: Important facts for parents and alumni to know about active learning and the enhancement of higher order thinking skills


     1. According to UT Arlington's employer survey, the skills that employers rated as the most important for their employees to have include solving problems, listening effectively, defining problems, and applying job-related conceptual knowledge. These are the type of higher order thinking skills that can be enhanced by active learning techniques.

   2. The use of active learning techniques has been shown to have a positive effect on retention and graduation rates. In fact, one of the long-range recommendations made in 2005 by a UT Arlington Graduation Rate Task Force was that the University increase faculty engagement with students through active learning strategies. 3. A very large percentage of the University alumni felt their UT Arlington experience prepared them very well or adequately in such higher order thinking skills as understanding principles of critical thinking (86.5%); and identifying, formulating, and solving problems (85.8%).

How do our alumni describe their best classroom experiences?

• small classes
• active participation
• lab-work
• application
• feedback
• group or teamwork
• hands-on (experience/activity)
• interactive (working, students, teaching, and with professors)
• use of technology (computers, Internet, videos, and multi-media)

Please proceed to any of the following links for more information about active learning:

Faculty • Students • Parents/Alumni

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