A Study on the Experience and Preference of Participation in Student Activity-Based Classes

Objectives This study identifies students' experiences of participating in activity-based classes in liberal arts classes and their preferences for participating in activity-based classes by class type, and suggests implications for improving the quality of liberal arts education. Methods This study applied a mixed qualitative and quantitative research design to investigate the experiences and preferences of students in the second semester of the 2023 academic year at I University in Gyeongnam to participate in student activity-based classes. For the qualitative study, the opinions of 57 participants were inductively analysed through FGI(focus group interview), and for the quantitative study, data from 226 participants were collected through an online survey and analysed using SPSS Statistics 27 program. Results The study found that 47.8% of respondents participated in student activity-based classes in liberal arts classes and reported a positive learning experience. They also preferred discussion and interaction in humanities classes, hands-on and self-directed learning in digital classes, and community and collaborative learning in Pleasant encounters classes. Conclusions Implications for improving the quality of liberal arts education include designing lessons centred on student engagement, promoting interactive learning, making effective use of online and blended learning environments, enhancing action learning activities, and considering students' diverse learning preferences.