Learners’ Active Engagement During Lessons on the Turning Effect of a Force (TEOF): The Impact of the Peer-Assisted Learning (PAL) Strategy.

Abstract

Physics learners encounter challenges in understanding the Turning Effect of a Force (TEOF) despite its real-world applications. Furthermore, learners in ordinary-level physics are not fully engaged in lessons due to the perpetual use of traditional teaching strategies. The purpose of this study was to examine the effectiveness of the Peer-Assisted Learning (PAL) strategy on learners’ active engagement during lessons on TEOF in which a qualitative approach was used with Solomon four group and Quasi-experimental designs. Through simple and purposive sampling there were 131 learners from four secondary schools in Kabwe district were chosen. Focus group discussion guide, questionnaires and lesson observation schedules were used to collect the data and analyzed thematically. The results showed that the experimental groups had a significantly higher level of active engagement in the lessons compared to the control groups. Specifically, experimental groups had higher levels of participation in class discussions, asked more questions, demonstrated more active listening skills and increased learners’ attention during lessons because they were motivated to see other learners who knew more about TEOF. In addition, the experimental groups demonstrated improved social and academic outcomes, such as better communication skills and higher academic achievement, compared to the control groups. Therefore, this study recommends physics educators consider incorporating the PAL strategy into their teaching practices. Using the PAL strategy would foster teamwork and collaboration among learners, subsequently providing opportunities for learners to enhance their communication skills, coordination abilities, shared responsibility, interdependence and the learning processes among learners.