Student engagement is so low, says the APSA, that is threatens the vitality and stability of the political process. Citizenship exists in college mission statements, not in faculty teaching practices. The ASPA says that colleges must teach students the motivation and competence to engage in public problem solving. Service learning can give students an introduction to the public arena. Additionally, Ed said, we are beginning to see that the learning needs of the current generation of students are different from the needs of their predecessors.
Current students bring in fewer study skills and complain of being seriously bored by classes.
The deductive instructional method equals a loss of interest for these students. Finally, Ed stated, we know more about the learning process itself now than ever before. We know now that learning is about making and maintaining connections. This is true at the neuronal level, as well as in terms of building mental models and of the relationship between engagement and action. We also know that faculty must expose students to diverse perspectives while solving problems.