Armenian State Pedagogical University hosted on Wednesday members of the “Students’ Voice” project of the National Center for Professional Education Quality Assurance Foundation (ANQA).
The aim of the meeting which was to discuss the results of the work carried out with student groups, methods applied during the process, modernity of the subject matter, integration of students in the educational process and other important issues, was to clarify the results of the Center’s previous research and understand why Armenian students lack motivation in the learning process and go to university solely for a diploma.
The Pedagogical University was chosen as the first target for studies, with lecturers of different faculties being involved in focus groups.
Speaking about the reasons behind students’ motivation, the lecturers said ‘freshmen are still stuck to their school desks.’ The most decisive are the second and third years of studies, while in the fourth year they feel “a suitcase mood” among students. The presentees were unanimous that all those who are serious about education attend a master's degree programme which summarizes the knowledge acquired in the years of previous study.
With regard to students’ activity in classes, ASPU lecturers sadly noted that today's generation is not demanding in terms of education and knowledge which is often determined by
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the wrong or unconscious choice of profession.
The specialists also confessed that the lack of motivation and interest in classes is due to the improper, irrelevant methods chosen by professors and the presence of large groups of students in classes.
Many of the participants agreed that to stir up motivation it is necessary to arrange individual meetings with students and keep feedback between students and lecturers.
The attendees also emphasized the need for a greater focus on internship and its format and said it is necessary to expand its scope and involve more students in research activities.
Also, the participants expressed their opinions and suggestions on the issue. At the second phase of the programme, members of the “Students’ Voice” will meet with students of the University and summarize the results of the programme.
