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Examining Practices of Active Learning Approach in Gedeo Zone and Halaba

Special Woreda, SNNPR, Ethiopia

Article · May 2016

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Research on Humanities and Social Sciences www.iiste.org
ISSN (Paper)2224-5766 ISSN (Online)2225-0484 (Online)
Vol.6, No.15, 2016

Examining Practices of Active Learning Approach in Gedeo Zone

and Halaba Special Woreda, SNNPR, Ethiopia
Tamirat Gibon Ginja
Education and Social Protection Programs Manager,People In Need_ Ethiopia
Skype: tamirat.gibon

Abstract
Southern Nations, Nationalities and People Region (SNNPR) of Ethiopia is one of the regions where the
education system is influenced by traditional system where the teachers has a central position while students is
passive and do not have chance to express their opinions. However, active learning is essential need for
educational context of the country. So, the aim of the study is to explore students and teachers’ perspectives and
practices in relation to active learning and identify some of the main challenges of this approach in selected
schools of the region. The study has been based on quantitative approaches with 100 male and female teachers in
four schools of Gedeo Zone and Halaba special Woreda which included the questionnaires from 100 teachers
and semi-structured observation of 10 different subject teachers. The findings show that considerable numbers of
teachers use some traditional lecture methods even if MoE and NGOs like People In Need Ethiopia have been
implementing projects focus on Modern Teaching Methods (MTM) in primary schools. It means that the
implementation of active learning in various stages of teaching process at primary schools is not yet being fully
practiced, but likely promising. As well as, the use of active learning such as group work, pair work and open
questions are not mostly considered during teaching processes. Because of some main obstacles such as: lack of
classroom space, large number of students in classrooms, shortage of time, the amount of content that needs to
be covered, and lack of materials. At all, the viewpoints of teachers were in support of using active learning
approach in the teaching-learning process that developed through MTM training that was organized by PIN but
observation shows that average number of teachers still focus on traditional methods because of some main
obstacles which are mentioned before.
Keywords: Quality Education, Modern Teaching Methods, Active learning, Instruction, Teacher Training

Introduction
Education is one of the fundamental rights of all citizens under Ethiopian constitution (1997). Though the
provision of education is granted to children all over country in accordance with the right, it is not the same for
every student in terms of quality. There is school and area-based differences in National Learning Assessment
results, and there remains the existence of students who cannot read and write though they proceed to upper
grades (EGRA, 2010). One of the approaches that can solve mentioned problems and emerging initiative is
sustained employment of active learning methods in primary schools that a preferred way to ensure quality
education.
In this regard, People In Need (PIN), an international NGO started its activities in Ethiopia as of 2003,
has been implementing a project entitled “Modern Teaching Methods LEAD to Quality Education” in Gedeo
Zone and Halaba Special Woreda of SNNPR, Ethiopia. It aimed at improving the quality of primary education
through the establishment of a quality monitoring system in the framework of school clusters by involving all
relevant actors in the Southern Nations, Nationalities, and Peoples' Region.
Well-run teacher training programmes and well-managed schools that provide teachers with good
work experience are expected to improve the quality of education. Good- quality teaching is also crucial.
However, the Ethiopian Ministry of Education notes the presence of a huge gap in educational attainment and
academic achievement among students, which is the result of lack of capacity (MOE and USAID 2008).
It is said that lesson itself is not interesting; in fact, it is teacher who makes the lesson enjoyable using
various teaching methods that fascinate the students. Teaching methods used in the class have imperative role in
learning and producing skilled and knowledgeable students. In the regard of this point, however, still in
Ethiopian primary schools, two types of teaching methods are being used; modern and traditional. In most of the
schools, especially located in low-privileged areas, students are still attended by traditional teaching methods
which are impeding their intellectual growth. On the other hand, active learning methods facilitate the
intellectual growth by developing critical thinking and creativity.
It is obvious that many researches have proved the significant impact of active learning methods on
academic performance of the students. Students who were given instructions in active learning methods
significantly secured higher mark in their subject tests as compare to those who were taught their lesson in
conventional way (Khurshid & Ansari, 2012). Students’ achievement in academics largely depends on how
teachers behave in their class. Structured and planned activities proved to be more effective than routine and
conventional methods. Students’ perception of learning process being used with them also counts a lot.

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Satisfaction the students gain from their teachers during class enhances their interest in academic activities.
Students are deemed as best judge of evaluating teaching methods.
Considering this, the present study has been designed to evaluate the improving trends of active
learning methods used in selected Schools of Dilla Zuria and Wonago Woredas of Gedeo Zone and Halaba
Special Woreda by finding answers of the following research questions;
o How do students perceive active learning methods used in their classroom?
o How is active learning viewed by selected teachers in primary schools?
o Which type of active learning practices are mostly used by teachers?
o Which are the most common challenges the selected teachers face when using active learning
exercises in classrooms?

Methodology
In this part, the research design and data collection procedure are described which has mainly focused on close
ended questionnaire for students and both close ended and open ended questionnaires for teachers. In addition,
semi-structured observation has been employed. Students and teachers were debriefed about the purpose of study
by the researcher in advance.
In order to evaluate the effectiveness of active learning methods, about 40 students were purposely
selected from four Schools (Meja, Halaba Experimental, Mokonissa and Tumticha primary schools). Students
were asked to respond to a question given in written form, “How did you feel about teaching methods used in
your class during the lessons?” with the most supposed methods to rate. These specific methods were supposed
teachers may use in selected primary schools based on listed teaching techniques of PIN’s basic MTM training
module (MTM: 2014) and researcher’s past experience whilst he was involved in practicum implementation
during his stay at College of Teacher Education within the region. Supposed methods were from both modern
and traditional methods. The researcher had explained the concept of each technique of instructions for students
to do not be confused with those professional terminologies. They were asked to answer on 3 point rating scale;
Good, Satisfactory, Unsatisfactory. Frequencies and percentages were calculated to examine the perception of
students regarding teaching methods.
The use of questionnaire as a quantitative method helps the researcher to collect the view of a large
number of respondents in a short period of time (Bryman, 2012).Therefore; in this research closed-ended
questionnaires and open questions were distributed to 100 male and female teachers. Teachers responded in
various cases relating to their use of ALMs and the main problems / challenges that impede the implementation
of this approach in schools.
Furthermore, the questionnaire implemented the four point Likert scale because it helps the
respondents to indicate their agreement or disagreement on a given scale (Braymn, 2012). As, this type of Likert
scale questionnaire was administered with the following meanings:
1 = strongly disagree, 2 = disagree, 3 = agree, 4 = strongly agree.
The last section includes two open-ended questions for teachers about ALMs. These were:
• Which other obstacles exist which prevents the actively involvement of students?
• Have you attended any methodical workshop/training?
Moreover, semi structured observation of 10 different subjects within both lower and upper grade
levels of primary schools had been used in this study to collect data on the implementation of MTMs in the
classrooms. Areas of semi structured observation were concentrated on: (a) learners’ active participation in
classrooms activities, (b) type of questions used by the teacher, (c) interaction between teacher and students, and
(d) learners pair work or group work. A total of 8 observations were once observed by the researcher. After
every observation time the researcher used to decide what kind of teaching approach was dominated in that time
period and then he filled the right category of his form.

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Results and Discussion

1. Students’ Perception about Teaching Methods
Table 1: Students’ perception about teaching methods
S/n Technique of instruction Good Satisfactory Unsatisfactory
f % f % f %
1 Brainstorming 32 80 04 10 04 10
2 Small group discussion 34 85 06 15 0 0
3 Role play 26 65 10 25 04 10
4 Individual presentation 22 55 10 25 08 20
5 Game 36 90 04 10 0 0
6 free writing tasks 26 65 08 20 06 15
7 Jigsaw 38 95 02 5 0 0
8 Coping answer/ material 04 10 04 10 32 80
9 Reading 10 25 06 15 24 60
10 Traditional homework 06 15 14 35 20 50
Results (Table 1) show that majority of the students (80%) perceived over all the methods are being
used by teachers are good. Mostly (95%) rated the jigsaw as good than other types of teaching methods. About
85% students also perceived small group discussion method as good for their learning. Free writing task and role
play methods were rated a good by 65% students, whereas individual presentation was perceived good by 55%
students. Not a single student rated small group discussion and game methods as unsatisfactory. Surprisingly,
there were 10% students who perceived brainstorming method as unsatisfactory.
Students’ satisfaction depends on variety of factors such as; they need, their learning preference or
style and so forth. Their level of satisfaction also influences their academic achievement. Students performed
better in their academics when their teaching style was according to the learning style preference of students
(Zeeb, 2004). In the present study, though learning style preference of students was not investigated, but results
reveal that most of the students wanted to study in innovative way. Their felt good when subject teacher
encouraged them to express their opinion by exposing the teaching methods of group discussion, presentation
and assignment of free writing tasks.
Most of the students (75%) were unsatisfied with the overall traditional teaching methods used in the
class. The method of copying answer/material was most unsatisfactory teaching method for students (80%).
Reading method did not satisfy 60 % students at all, whereas 50% students rated giving traditional homework as
unsatisfactory. There were 35% students who were satisfied with assigning traditional homework and 15% rated
homework as good. About 25% students rated reading method as good. Moreover, 10% students rated copying
answer/material as good and satisfactory respectively.

2. Teachers’ attitude toward Active learning methods

Table 2: Teachers view on active learning approch
S/n Items Strongly Disagree Agree Strongly
Disagree Agree
N % N % N % N %
1 I do support students to have active participation in 1 1 2 2 27 27 70 70
the lesson.
2 My role in classroom is to facilitate students’ 1 1 0 0 21 21 78 78
learning.
3 I provoke students to actively participate in their own 1 1 1 1 16 16 82 82
learning process.
4 I try to link new knowledge to students’ prior 2 2 3 3 38 38 57 57
experiences whenever I start instruction.
5 I help students to take responsibility for their own 4 4 10 10 30 30 56 56
learning.
6 I encourage students to make decisions about the 0 0 3 3 35 35 62 62
what, how and when of learning.
7 I encourage students to provide comment to their 2 2 2 2 26 26 70 70
teachers about how they learn effectively.
Based on Table 2, teachers’ points of view are summarized as follow.
• To be a facilitator for student in the teaching learning process (99%, agree plus strongly agree)
• Motivating students in actively participating in the teaching and learning process (98%, agree plus
strongly agree );

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• Providing classroom environment that could involve students actively in the classroom (97%, agree
plus strongly agree).
• Encourage students to take their decisions on what, how and when to learn (97%, agree plus strongly
agree).
However during the observation of the classrooms, it was noted that considerable number of the
teachers used the lecture method where the students were taught by the teachers from the beginning to the end of
the class.
From the observation, almost half of teachers showed up with reading from books, writing it down on
black board, asking the students to read from books or black board and mostly asking questions from some
students. Generally, considerable numbers of students were passive during whole class session.
As well as, near to half of teachers were to take all decisions on how to teach, when and what, and also
the chance for participation was only given for few of students. Instead of given the chance for all participation
(students) to take their decision about what, how and when to learn. But more than half were being used to deal
with students about what, how and when to learn.
In addition, 96% of teachers responded that they asked students about how are they learn easily and
they used their students’ tips during the teaching learning process. While, observation showed that teachers often
did not give this opportunity to students to express their point of views, only about half of them did.
Generally, all male and female teachers had the same point of view about active learning approaches.

3. Teachers’ view and practices of Active learning methods in the teaching-learning process
Teachers point of views on using some major techniques to engage students in classroom activities are presented
as follow.
Table 3: Practices of Active learning approach
S/n Items Strongly Disagree Agree Strongly
Disagree Agree
f % f % f % f %
1 I often organize the students into groups 1 1 10 10 45 45 44 44
2 I often divide the students in to couples to work on their 5 5 25 25 30 30 40 40
tasks.
3 I often ask close-ended questions for which there is 12 12 13 13 43 43 32 32
only one correct answer.
4 I often ask open-ended questions. 17 17 14 14 33 33 36 36
5 I used to give enough time for students to think after 1 1 8 8 29 29 62 62
asking questions.
6 I encourage students to ask questions. 1 1 1 1 16 16 82 82
7 I encourage students to have discussions between each 0 0 3 3 41 41 56 56
other on their tasks.
The result (Table 3) indicate that teachers were willing to ask close ended questions for which there
was only one correct answer and also open ended questions; about 75% and 69% of the respondents supported
these types of approaches respectively. Based on observation, this was confirmed that teachers usually put some
close ended questions which required from the students to use their memories to recall a fact or provided
answers. Sometimes teachers asked questions that required from students to give answers by yes or no. Mostly,
teachers did not use open ended question which help students to think critically.
Furthermore, for the approach such as: after asking question they often gave enough time for students
to think, the respondents supported this by 91%. But in observation, mostly teachers instead of first putting the
question then waiting for students to think and after that choose from those students who were volunteers to
respond- teacher first choose one student then asked a question from him or her and after that did not give
enough time for student to think.
Likewise, for the item that they encouraged student to ask questions from each other, 98% of
respondents support this item but observation showed that teachers mostly did not encourage students to ask
questions.
The result also indicate that for the section where the teachers consciously arranged the student in to
group and encouraged them to have discussion between each other on their tasks, respondents showed 89%
agreement. However, observation showed that teacher often did not prepare some groups to discuss the task
between each other or divided students in to pairs.
Usually, teachers did not pose questions to students seated in the last rows of the classrooms where
they were not paying attention to the subject.
Another case that the researcher could note during the classroom observation was the methods being
used by teachers were uniformly similar in both lower and upper grade levels. That is why students view towards

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some techniques was varying based on their grade level.

In active learning approaches students play major role in their learning process. In this approach
students take full responsibility for their learning and teacher are just facilitators.
The results of this study showed that implementation of active learning in teaching and learning
process at Mokonisa and Tumticha primary schools (Gedeo Zone) are low comparing with schools in Halaba
special Woreda. The major results of this study are as follow:
• The viewpoints of teachers were in support of active learning but observation shows that still
considerable number of teachers’ focus on teacher-centred method.
• Teachers’ are playing more active role in class instead of students; almost half students are passive in
classrooms environment.
• Teachers are the main decision makers in class, where rarely teachers give the opportunity to the
students to decide what, how and when to study.
Use of active learning approaches while teaching in the classrooms has really advantageous impact on
students learning. Many studies indicate that students prefer activities that involve active learning rather than
traditional lectures, many learners construct their own understating of knowledge by their personal experiences
and their interaction with environment (Perkins and Wang, 2008; Alemu, 2010; Ginsburg, 2010;).
The result of this study indicate that use of active learning such as group work, pair work and open
questions which enable student to solve the problem analytically and to assist students critical thinking were
seldom considered during teaching processes. As;
• The viewpoints of teachers were in support of both open and close ended questions but observations
showed that teachers mostly used closed ended questions where student were given yes or no questions
and they are called to answer by recalling a fact. Generally, high order thinking questions were not
common among the teacher probably because it is easy to answer and it is less time consuming method.
• In similar ways teachers supported the idea of giving time to students to think about the problem or
questions but in observations teachers preferred to ask close ended questions from one of the student
who was expected to answer quickly. This may be due to shortage of time for teachers to cover the
entire material of the course or preference of instructor to dictate students to know what they taught in
class previously.
• Observations also indicated that teachers seldom encourage students to ask questions. It might be the
teachers favor to answer the questions that they already know; new questions may lead them to search
more for answers which is not preferable for them.
• Based on observations teachers often point out a student and then pose a question, this method is not
preferred by student due to fear of answering wrong in front of other classmates. Teachers may like to
hear the correct answer by the student that spends less time to answer because teachers were not willing
to spend time with student whom is time taking to work with especially the student setting in the back
row of the classroom. Therefore, asking a question from the students setting in the back row of the
classroom was rarely observed.
• As the results indicated in teachers’ questionnaires summary, majority of teachers agreed to encourage
students to have discussions between each other in their tasks, but observations adversely showed that
students were not allowed to create groups and discuss the tasks. Mostly they were working
individually and they were asked to memorize the text and repeat them. It might be due to lack of time,
large number of students in classes, lack of flexible chairs and so on.

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4. Factors influencing the implementation of MTM approaches

Table 4: Challenges of Active learning Approach
S/n Items Strongly Disagree Agree Strongly
Disagree Agree
f % f % F % f %
1 I lack training on the implementation of some 35 35 31 31 21 21 13 13
techniques which make students to actively involve
in the classroom.
2 The lectures are the best way for me to teach 19 19 35 35 21 21 25 25
students.
3 Students dislike active participation in my 39 39 16 16 29 29 16 16
instruction.
4 The load of content that needs to be covered prevents 16 16 19 19 35 35 30 30
the actively involvement of students in my
classroom.
5 There is a lack of time to actively involve students in 19 19 13 13 37 37 31 31
my instruction.
6 Lack of materials inhibits to actively involve students 18 18 17 17 36 36 29 29
in my classroom.
7 It is unworkable for me to actively involve students 11 11 10 10 27 27 52 52
in large classes
Based on table 4, the following points were mentioned as the main factors impeding the
implementation of active learning approaches.
• Large classes (27 plus 52% equal to 79%);
• Lack of time to actively involve students in the teaching learning process (37 plus 31% equal to 68%);
• Lack of materials (36 plus 29% equal to 65%);
• The amount of content that need to be covered (35 plus 30% equal to 65%).
Classroom observation also showed that these four points were the most influencing factors on
implementation of active learning approaches. For example, in large classes the seating of the students (front to
back) and also fixed seats were the factors which discourage students to talk with each other. As well as, giving
attention for all students in very small amount of time was hard for the teachers.
From the researcher’s observation, mostly teachers did not allow their students to ask questions from
the teacher or from other student or talk with each other. It is noteworthy to mention, that teachers tended to be
working hard but lack of professional approach disabled them to make students active in the teaching learning
process.
Mostly, all male and female teachers had the same point of view about the factors that hander the
implementation of active learning approaches.
Many Educators particularly teachers believe that large number of students in classrooms prevent
proper group work. Teachers point out some major issues in implementing active learning such as: shortage of
time in actively involving students in teaching learning process; the amount of teaching material to be covered
during one class session; lack of problem-based teaching material that requires too much time and effort from
teachers (Alemu, 2010).
Burns and Myhill (2004) also indicated that main issue related to implementation of active learning is
lack of time and content to be covered. Even though teachers showed positive views based on results taken from
classrooms due to improvements in students learning ability and fun way of teaching still the amount of time and
content remains the main concern.
Furthermore, in open ended part of the questionnaire, more than half of teachers thank People In Need
NGO that equipped them with knowledge and skills on several modern teaching methods and how to use them in
the actual classroom. Teachers confirm that majority of the techniques currently they have been employing were
introduced in MTM project training by PIN education team.
In fact, it is not enough for teachers to know about the significance or importance of teaching methods,
but there is also need for to know how to apply and how to use the useful methods practically during teaching.
Therefore, Ethiopian Government Education Authorities and NGOs who are working on the sector like People In
Need Ethiopia need to continue the training programs and workshops for the teachers to introduce them how to
apply new and useful methods in the classrooms.
Finally, the result of this study showed that the teachers knew about the useful methods but could not
apply them fully accordingly, maybe because of some problems which are mentioned above or maybe they did
not have constructive support from their fellow/professionals on how to apply these methods and improve day-

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to-day.

Conclusion
The overall aim of study was to assess emerging practices of modern teaching methods in selected primary
schools of Gedeo Zone and Halaba special Woreda focusing on students and teacher views as well as identify the
main obstacles that prevent the usage of active learning approach. To this end, the researcher found that, students
of this era are impossible to be satisfied with the old teaching style and highly prefer to active teaching learning
style, the viewpoints of teachers were in support of active learning approach because of its significant impact on
learning but observation shows that considerable number of teachers focus on traditional method. Additionally,
researcher identified some main obstacles which were; large classes, lack of time, lack of materials, and the
amount of content that need to be covered.

Recommendations
I recommend that age-grade level-friendly teaching techniques to be applied by teachers rather than using only
those already acquainted techniques through MTM trainings for all grade level similarly.
MTM should be emphasized in CPD sessions to update all teachers regular base in order to fill any
confusion with implementation procedures of some specific techniques with strong educational monitoring and
evaluation techniques. Hence, education sector officials, supervisors and senior teachers have to strictly follow-
up how schools are implementing active learning accordingly; and recognize well preforming teachers and
schools whereas, less performance to be taken development action furtherly.
Development partners like People In Need NGOs should continue working to improve quality
education through MTM and related projects whereas GoE and the community have to work for sustainable
employment of age-grade level-friendly teaching techniques in all primary schools in strong partnership.
Through collaborated partnership, continues professional development programs and community participation
observed challenges and other affecting factors supposed to be minimized.
The current research did not address issues on attitudes towards active learning approach among
education authorities, parents and communities; and students’ academic achievement related change. Hence, the
future research on students’ academic result based change and educational authorities, parental and community
attitudes are desirable.

Reference
Alemu B, M (2010): Active Learning Approaches in Mathematics Education at Universities in Oromia, Ethiopia.
Bryman, A. (2012): Social Research Methods. Oxford: Oxford University press.
Burns, C. & Myhill, D. (2004): Interactive or inactive? A consideration of the nature of interaction in whole
class instruction. Cambridge Journal of Education, 34(1): 35-49.
EFDRE (1995): Constitution of the Federal Democratic of Ethiopia, AA.
Ginsburg, M. B. (2010): Improving educational quality through active-learning pedagogies: A Comparison of
five case studies. Educational Research 1(3)
MOE and USAID (2008): Review of the Ethiopian Education and Training Policy and its Implementation, Addis
Ababa: Ministry of Education.
MOE and USAID (2010): Early Grade Reading Assessment Expansion: Ethiopia— Data Analytic Report:
Language and Early Learning, AA.
Perkins, D. & Wirth, K. R. (2008): Learning to learn. University of North Dakota

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