The effects of active learning on students’ sense of belonging and academic performance in introductory physics courses

Abstract

Research-based active learning strategies have been shown to have positive effects on students’ learning in physics class. However, the exploration of active learning’s impact on students’ sense of belonging in physics classrooms remains limited. In this paper, we present our findings pertaining to students’ sense of belonging in an introductory physics course at a large public research university. This course was taught by three different instructors, one of whom integrated research-based active learning strategies, while the other two employed traditional lecture-based approaches. Our results show a statistically significant decrease in the sense of belonging among students in the traditionally taught classes, in contrast to a modest increase in students’ sense of belonging in the active learning class. Furthermore, we observed a statistically significant gender difference in students’ sense of belonging at the beginning of the course, which was closed by the end of the active learning class but persisted in the traditional classes. In addition, the active learning class exhibited a positive impact on students’ academic outcomes, and this effect was partially mediated by the sense of belonging. Our findings indicate that active learning classes, particularly those thoughtfully designed to foster inclusive environments, may benefit students’ sense of belonging and enhance their academic performance without relying on the use of specific belonging interventions.