Active Learning Blog

Anatomy & Physiology Class at Trocaire College

Trocaire College located near Buffalo, NY has a strong mission to serve students who might not otherwise have a shot at succeeding in higher education. Ninety seven percent of the college’s 1,400 students receive some form of financial aid.  Many are students who had started their education elsewhere, but hadn’t been able to complete—whether because of life circumstances or academic difficulties. Reducing attrition and improving retention is a major academic challenge for Trocaire faculty and staff.  But this isn’t unique to Trocaire. Last year, a study found that only 33.7% of students returning to complete their degree actually graduated, compared to 54.1% of first-time students.  

At the Iowa State University College of Veterinary Medicine, students spend much of their class time applying their academic reading and theory in clinical, real-world, case-like situations. Critical to Iowa State’s pedagogical model is ensuring that lectures are time well-spent and students are prepared to apply their learning. Student engagement matters, as  research tells us.