An overview of common strategies and tools, both those on Moodle LMS and the open web, to facilitate active learning.

1. to facilitate active learning
Seth Allen, MLIS, MA
Instructional Technologist
South College
Using Technology Tools

2. Defining Active Learning
“Active learning is generally defined as any
instructional method that engages students in the
learning process (Prince, 2004, p. 1).
Active learning activities:
● Take place in the classroom
● Require that students to actively engage with
new concepts
● Challenge student to reflect on their learning

3. Why is Active Learning Important?
Svinicki and McKeachie (2011) assert that active
learning activities are important because they:
● Connect new concepts with students’ existing
knowledge
● Eliminate the ‘illusion of understanding’; not
being able to apply new facts
● Motivate students to do something rather than
passively hear lectures (p. 169-70).
Additionally, most students lose focus after
15 minutes of lecturing (Eisen, 2010, p. 2).

4. Typical Active Learning Activities
Typical active learning activities include:
● One minute paper
● Muddiest or clearest point
● Instant polls
● Think-pair-share
● Brainstorming
● Concept maps
● Analytical questions

5. on Moodle
Active Learning Tools

6. Active Learning Activities in Moodle
To use the following activities:
1) Turn on the editing button,
2) Click ‘Add an activity or
resource’ in the desired week
3) Add desired activity.
How-to guides on these
activities are available on
South College’s ITech site.

7. on the open web
Active Learning Tools

8. Sample Concept Map
Concept maps, or mind maps, allow
students to “rehearse their learning, use
relevant vocabulary, and deepen their
thinking” (as cited in Dean et al, 2012, p.
93).
Some online tools for concept mapping
include:
● Coogle
● Bubbl.us
● https://www.mindmup.com/
Image taken from p. 94 of Classroom Instruction that Works (2nd ed).

9. Think-Pair-Share
Think-pair-share involves:
1) Instructor proposes question/idea
2) Students brainstorm their responses
individually
3) Students assemble in groups to
discuss their answers. Optionally,
instructor might ask groups to share
with class
Padlet and Google Docs are good tools
for facilitating think-pair-share.
Example of a Padlet ‘wall’
Padlet Tutorial

10. Instant Polls
Kahoot is a free tool to create
quizzes, surveys, and discussions.
Educators can set up quizzes on
getkahoot.com and invite students to
play using their computers or mobile
devices.
Let’s Play!
Let’s get started by going to
www.Kahoot.it and typing in the
following password: 942269
Other Free Pooling Tools:
● GoSoapBox
● Peardeck – Integrates
PowerPoints

11. about active learning
Learning More

12. Active Learning Resources
● Active Learning for the College Classroom
(Web page)
● Twilight of the Lecture (Article)
● Making Active Learning Work (Web page)
● Active Learning in Online Training: What
E-Learning Professionals Should Know (Article)
● Active Learning Strategies in Face-to-Face
Courses (Article)
● Not Every Idea Needs a Tool, But Every Tool
Needs an Idea (Blog post)

13. Works Cited in This Presentation
Dean, C.B, Hubbell, E.R., Pitler, H., & Stone, B. (2012). Classroom instruction that works (2nd
ed.). Alexandria, VA: ASCD.
Eisen, J. (2010 Mar). Using active learning instructional strategies to create excitement and enhance
learning [PDF]. Retrieved from
https://www.cte.cornell.edu/documents/presentations/Active%20Learning%20-%20Creating
%20Excitement%20in%20the%20Classroom%20-%20Handout.pdf
Prince, M. (2004). Does active learning work? A review of the research. Journal of Engineering
Education, 93(3), 223-231.
Svinicki, M. & McKeachie, W. (2011). McKeachie’s teaching tips: Strategies, research, and theory for
college and university teachers. Belmont, CA: Wadsworth.