Improving Students' Participation in Active Learning Methods: Group Discussions, Presentations and Demonstrations: A Case of Madda Walabu University Second Year Tourism Management Students of 2014.
Education is a means by which people develop and acquire knowledge, skills, values and attitudes. It paves the way for development and plays vital role (serve as a catalyst) in bringing socio-cultural, economical, technological, political and environmental advancements. The general objective of this study was  to  improve Second Year Tourism Management Students’ participation in active learning methods (especially in group discussions, presentations and demonstrations) and identify challenges that hamper students not to participate actively in class and off class learning sessions. Descriptive research design was devised and longitudinal research design was employed. Questionnaires were distributed for all 42 second year tourism management students, and of which 35, were returned (properly filled) and valid for analysis. Secondary and primary sources of data had been used to interpret the results. To analyze quantitative data, descriptive statistical analyses of mean and standard deviation were computed using SPSS version 20.0. The findings of the study revealed that 75% of the students assured that group discussion gives them more chance to participate freely in the class than demonstrations and presentations. The study  also indicateded that the major challenges that hinder learners not to participate actively in group discussions, presentations and demonstrations were shortage of time, poor academic background, shyness, poor communication skills, requirements for presentations and demonstrations (formal attires, materials) and lack of preparation. The researchers have provided solutions such as to improve the student’s attendance, contribution and responsibility for their learning, the first step is to motivate them by calling their name and teachers had better be friendly, sociable and approachable to learners. It is also helpful that asking students to present material to their peers (with their peers involved in the assessment) would alert all the students to be best presenter or demonstrator of the day which in return increase their subject-specific knowledge; and reinforce their immediate and the wider group’s identity. Keywords: Active learning methods, group discussions, presentations and demonstrations and challenge