3. Definition
**Active learning refers to techniques where
students do more than simply listen to a lecture.
** Students are DOING something including
discovering, processing, and applying information.
**Active learning involves discussion, problem solving,
presentations, group work such as buzz groups,
brainstorming, role plays, debates—anything that gets
students interacting with each other and engaging with
the lecture material.
4. Assumptions
_Active learning is derived from two basic
assumptions:
(1) that learning is by nature an active
endeavor.
(2) that different people learn in different
ways.
5. Some Goals of Active Learning
Develop communicative skills
Develop collaboration skills
Encourage students to take responsibility for their own
learning.
Practice creating shared meaning.
6. *Think-Pair-Share.
*Collaborative learning groups.
*Games.
*Analysis or reactions to videos.
*Student debates.
*Student generated exam questions.
* Mini-research projects ; a class
research.
Some Examples of Active Learning
Methods
*Write and produce a newsletter.
*Concept mapping*
7.
8. What does active learning look like?
Simple ways to
make a lecture more
‘active’
Using cases or
problems in lecture
Flipped classroom
(lecture)
Team-based
learning
(small groups)
Pausing lecture –
students discuss
what was presented
Pausing lecture;
polling students;
students discuss
answers; faculty-led
tutorial on correct
answer
9. What does inactive learning look like?
Lots of files to download .
Power point after power point .
No instructor presence .
No student connections .
10. Aspects of Active Learning
• Hands-on learning activities.
• Provides the students with opportunities to
practice applying the skills they are in the process
of learning.
• Helps them to become independent learners.
• Students work cooperatively in small groups.
11. How Effective is Active Learning
• It is one of the most effective teaching approaches in
education.
• It increases the effectiveness and efficiency of the
teaching and learning process.
• Active learning strategies involve collaboration with
peers, and provides a secure environment for
growth and exploration of ideas.
12. (talking and listening, writing, reading, and reflecting.)
**Active learning takes time to:
Design → prepare → implement (apply) → evaluate.
May need support from educators, academic technology team.
“Students are involved in more than listening, less emphasis is placed
on transmitting information and more on developing students' skills,
students are involved in higher-order thinking (analysis, synthesis,
evaluation), students are engaged in activities (e.g., reading
discussing, writing), and greater emphasis is placed on students'
exploration of their own attitudes and values.”
Elements of Active Learning
13. How to be successful
Pick a topic you have taught many times before
Anticipate student questions, areas of difficulty
Prepare learners for the ‘new’ format
Safety net: answer keys or ‘lists’; timers
Add feedback questions on evaluation so you
know where to improve
Ensure support from administration1
1Bonwell & Eison, 1991
