Meaning of Student Learning in an Interactive Classroom

The meaning of student learning evolves over time as society's needs change in a context of changing social and economic conditions. Responding to new views of student learning, American higher education has begun to promote a learning paradigm focused on the use of active and collaborative learning activities to generate learning. Our study of data from students enrolled in a spring 2012 social science course at a Southeastern United States research university intended (1) to seek empirical support clarifying what student learning means, and (2) to evaluate whether engaging in collaborative learning activities improves students' learning. Our results supported a 3-factor student learning measure weighing subject matter knowledge, analytical skills, and job preparedness. The results also showed the 3 factors to have significant associations with engagement in collaborative learning activities. Collaborative learning activities can be avenues to students' demonstration of knowledge and skills important to their future employment.