Facilitating Engaging Learning Experiences unit (EAL201)

Introduction

This unit considers the knowledge and skills required to facilitate engaging learning environments within applied learning settings. It will examine the theoretical underpinnings of learner and teacher engagement in a range of contexts, including face to face and online, and develop and evaluate techniques aimed at increasing levels of engagement. Through practical assessment tasks, students will develop their facilitation skills and explore ways to increase participation of learners. This unit will consider how educators can foster an environment where learners become increasingly responsible and self-directed in their own applied learning setting.

This unit suits people with some experience in working with learners (e.g. practicing teachers, trainers, classroom aides, or industry people who have worked with apprentices) who are interested in exploring issues of student disengagement, drawing on theories of how and why students might be engaged and then trialling new facilitation approaches that target student engagement.

Note: The third assessment task requires facilitation of a session with a class or small group of learners, so participants need to have access to a group to do this.

Summary

Unit name	Facilitating Engaging Learning Experiences
Unit code	EAL201
Credit points	12.5
College/School	Arts and Society Faculty of Education
Discipline	Education
Coordinator	Mr Timothy Atkins
Available as an elective?	Yes
Delivered By	University of Tasmania
Level	Intermediate

Availability

Specific information on 2027 unit availability will be available in August

Learning Outcomes

• identify and analyse key issues/themes of a factor of student engagement and implications of these for professional practice
• analyse student needs and use this information to design and evaluate strategies that support and encourage student engagement in learning
• apply and reflect on facilitation skills in an educational setting to promote student engagement in learning
• communicate in writing for personal and professional purposes including the use and integration of scholarly and professional literature and practical experience

Fee Information

2027 fee information will be available in August.

Teaching

Teaching Pattern	Off Campus:  Weekly online lectures (2 hours), weekly online tutorials or equivalent (1 hour), independent learning (2 hours)
Assessment	Assessment Task 2: Reflecting on Engagement (10%)|Assessment Task 1: Exploring Engagement (45%)|Assessment Task 3: Exploring Facilitation (45%)
Timetable	View the lecture timetable | View the full unit timetable

Textbooks

Required

There are no texts to purchase for this unit. All readings are held in the Library’s reading lists. Reading Lists provide direct access to all material on unit reading lists in one place. This includes eReadings and items in Reserve. You can access the Reading List for this unit from the link in MyLO, or by going to the Reading Lists page on the University Library website.

Recommended

Biggs, J. (2003). Teaching for quality learning at University: What the student does (2nd ed.). Berkshire, UK: Open University Press. Brookfield, S. (1995). Becoming a critically reflective teacher. San Francisco: Jossey-Bass. Bryson, C., & Hand, L. (2007). The role of engagement in inspiring teaching and learning. Innovations in Education and Teaching International, 44 (4). 349-362. Chickering, A.W., & Gamson, Z.F. (2007). Seven principles for good practice in undergraduate education. American Association of Higher Education. Fredricks, J., Blumenfeld, P., & Paris, A. (2004). School engagement: Potential of the concept, state of the evidence. Review of Educational Research, 74(1), 59-109. Gibbs, R., & Poskitt, J. (2010). Student engagement in the middle years of schooling (years 7-10): A literature review. Wellington, NZ: Ministry of Education. Hogan, C. (2002). Understanding facilitation: Theory and principles. UK: Kogan Page. Hogan, C. (2002). Practical facilitation: A toolkit of techniques. UK: Kogan Page. Knowles, M., Holton, E., & Swanson, R. (2011). The adult learner: The definitive classic in adult education and human resource development. (7th ed.). Oxford, UK: Elsevier. Thomas, J. (2019). Managing behavior or promoting engagement? Oxford Research Encyclopedia of Education. Oxford University Press. University of Tasmania (2015). APA 7th edition. In Referencing guide. Retrieved from https://utas.libguides.com/referencing/APA7th

The University reserves the right to amend or remove courses and unit availabilities, as appropriate.