The Effects of Short Online Pedagogical Courses on University Teachers’ Conceptions of Learning and Engaging Students During Lectures

Abstract

Pedagogical training is considered an efficient tool to train university teachers to understand and foster active learning. In Finland, pedagogical training courses are organized periodically at universities, and university teachers participate voluntarily to improve pedagogical knowledge and skills for teaching in higher education settings. This study aims to examine the effects of short online pedagogical training courses on the development of university teachers’ conceptions of active learning from two perspectives: the role of prior knowledge and engaging their students during lectures. The effects of the training were measured through self-reported questionnaires completed by teachers at a Finnish university before and after the pedagogical course (N = 108). The results showed an increase in participants’ perceptions of the importance of prior knowledge in the learning process, and a decrease in the idea of learning as remembering. Additionally, the awareness of developing engaging lectures increased by the end of the courses. These outcomes indicate the benefits of short pedagogical courses for pedagogical development, especially for university teachers who have not had any prior training in pedagogy.