Investigating the positive effects of purposeful-mixed-approach pedagogy for computer systems administration and support course

In today’s information technology era, education must adapt to a rapidly changing world. Teachers should transition from mere information providers to active learning facilitators, ensuring knowledge is practical, purposeful, and retainable, impacting learners’ long-term development. This study investigated whether incorporating socially and environmentally beneficial activities, such as recycling electronic waste, into traditional laboratory practicals could enhance academic performance and knowledge retention, while promoting sustainability. The research addressed two questions: (1) What strategies enhance a well-established course while incorporating active learning techniques? and (2) Will learning outcomes be more impactful, enjoyable, and less abstract if applied immediately to achieve tangible results and community accomplishment, such as combating electronic waste and promoting sustainability?. The study, conducted by the Computer Science Department at Queen’s University Belfast over two academic years starting in 2021/2022, defined the scope and connection to repurposing computer systems slated to be disposed as e-waste. The student cohort freely explored solutions and innovations while completing tasks, ensuring practical learning and testing the limits of their knowledge. Academic performance was tracked via grades from the learning management system, and survey-based self-reports assessed students’ perceptions of the project. The analysis concludes with an evaluation of the methodology’s effectiveness and a presentation of the results and outcomes.<br/><br/>