Comparing attitudinal learning of large enrolment active learning and lecture classes

Students' self-reported attitudinal learning were compared between two different large courses that incorporated attitudinal learning objectives at a Midwestern US public university- a course on environmental sustainability utilising active learning instruction (100 participants) and a course on international economics utilising traditional lecture instruction (109 participants). Four factors of attitudinal learning were evaluated utilising a validated scale, the Attitudinal Learning Inventory (ALI): affective, cognitive, behavioural, and social learning outcomes. Results showed that students in the active learning instruction course perceived significantly higher attitudinal for all factors except for cognitive. Attitudinal learning components were not correlated with traditional course performance scores in the courses. Implications for assessing and designing instruction for attitudinal learning as well as implementing active learning instruction in large courses are discussed.