Active Learning Environment for Achieving Higher-Order Thinking Skills in Engineering Education

Higher-order thinking, known as higher order thinking skills (HOTS), is a conception of education reorganization based on learning taxonomy. Skills involving analysis, evaluation and synthesis are considered to be of higher order, requiring diverse learning and teaching methods than the customary learning of facts and concepts. HOTS involves the learning of complex judgmental skills such as critical thinking and problem solving. They are activated when individuals encounter unfamiliar problems, uncertainties, questions, or dilemmas. Successful application of the skills results in justifications, decisions, performances, and products that are valid within the context of existing knowledge that encourages continued growth in other intellectual skills. The major difficulty in attaining HOTS among engineering students is that we still pursue the traditional approach of teacher-centered classroom where the teacher is an active transmitter and the students are passive recipients. To achieve HOTS among engineering students we establish an Active Learning Environment (ALE) with the effective usage of Information and communication technologies (ICT). Active learning is embodied in a learning environment where the teachers and students are actively engaged with the content through discussions, problem-solving, critical thinking, or a multitude of activities that encourage interaction among learners, instructors and the material. Supporting to active learning, the ICT usage lends itself to more student-centered learning. This paper demonstrates the strategies to achieve HOTS through various ALE strategies like Role Play, Jigsaw, Brainstorming, debate, Mind map etc for Concept Understanding and Group assignments, combined mini projects, Discussion on Topics, Quiz, and Puzzles for Concept Applying. We have applied various learning strategies and assessed the student outcomes. HOTS is achieved by developing applications or products, with improved inter personal skills and lifelong learning skills. The evidence for the effectiveness of ALE among engineering students is showed by great improvement in their academic result, placement record and research interests