The Affective Domain in Teaching
As science faculty, we naturally emphasize the cognitive domain in our teaching. After all, students think and learn with their brains (we hope!). Yet the affective domain can significantly enhance, inhibit or even prevent student learning. The affective domain includes factors such as student motivation, attitudes, perceptions and values. Teachers can increase their effectiveness by considering the affective domain in planning courses, delivering lectures and activities, and assessing student learning.
Resources for learning more about the affective domain
- What is the affective domain? Includes background information, definitions and relevance of the affective domain in teaching.
- A framework for applying the affective domain in science education, including a summary of some current research on the topic and relevant questions to consider.
- Literature review of affective domain books and journal articles, including teaching methods, measuring affective outcomes, and examples in the geosciences.
- Learn how to recognize and overcome affective challenges for teaching controversial topics including teaching evolution and teaching environmental issues.
- Read anecdotal stories from faculty about affective domain dilemmas and real-life challenges in the classroom. Solutions to the dilemmas have been submitted by other faculty.
- See examples of assessment methods useful for evaluating the affective domain.
- Materials from the 2007 workshop, Student Motivations and Attitudes: The Role of the Affective Domain in Geoscience Learning
- The workshop program contains links to presentations, summaries of the discussions and more.
- Posters from the workshop, describing relevant teaching or research experience with the affective domain.
- Essays about the affective domain by workshop participants.
