Effectiveness of Experiential Learning of Roma Pupils in Terms of Educational Results - A Case Study

The case study focused on exploring the potential of experiential learning in enhancing factual biological knowledge among Roma fifth-grade pupils (ISCED 2) from socio-economically disadvantaged backgrounds. Based on the analysis of academic sources, an educational programme incorporating experiential learning was developed, tailored to the specific educational needs of Roma pupils and emphasising active knowledge acquisition. The research employed a quasi-experimental design to compare whether there were statistically significant differences between the experimental and control groups. The experimental group was educated using the designed educational programme, while the control group received traditional instruction, characterised by the direct transmission of information from the teacher to the pupils. Following the educational intervention, pupils' levels of acquired knowledge were assessed using a custom-designed test. Data analysis demonstrated that the experimental group achieved statistically better results on the administered test compared to the control group. The research findings thus suggest the potential benefits of employing experiential learning in educating Roma pupils to improve factual knowledge levels.