Student teachers’ reflections of advantages, disadvantages, and learning related to lecturers’ different pedagogical methods'

Abstract

Background and Study Aim. Improving the quality of teaching in higher education is essential. Equally important is obtaining a detailed understanding of students' reflections on their educational experiences. The purpose of this study was to evaluate students’ reflections related to their learning and the advantages and disadvantages of different pedagogical methods. Material and Methods. A mixed-methods design was employed, including questionnaires and follow-up interviews with students. A 15-credit course in a master’s degree program in physical education was conducted using different teaching methods over three consecutive years. After completing the course, 59 students filled out a questionnaire that measured their reported learning outcomes from eight different pedagogical methods. Once the quantitative data was analyzed, seven students were randomly selected for individual in-depth interviews. Results. The quantitative data revealed that students generally reported good learning outcomes across all pedagogical methods. No gender differences were found in any of the eight methods. The main results from the in-depth interview analyses showed that students identified both advantages and disadvantages in all methods. According to students' reflections, all methods contributed to learning, and a combination of lectures and practical activities produced especially good outcomes. Conclusions. The results of this study highlight the importance of using a variety of methods when planning and executing university teaching. It is also essential to be aware of the disadvantages of each method and to work on minimizing them. Additionally, lecturers are encouraged to conduct research on their own teaching practices to improve the quality of education.