Embedded Files
Active learning in the classroom emphasizes student engagement in the learning process rather than through traditional, passive knowledge sharing (such as lecturing). Commonly, students will engage in small or large activities centered around the lesson of the day, working together and with the instructor to apply knowledge and problem-solving skills to better understand the material.
Evidence shows that the active learning strategy improves student engagement in the classroom and improves critical thinking skills, increases transfer and retention of new information, increases motivation, improves social skills, and decreases course failure.
How to Implement It:
How to Implement It:
Successful implementation of the active learning strategy hinges on meaningful activities, explaining the rationale to students through transparency of teaching, and collecting feedback from students to assess their understanding of the material.
The main goal is to have students engaging deeply with course material and information. Try some of the following strategies in the classroom:
Small or large group discussions: Typically some questions to get started encourage engagement, but allowing students to lead the discussion where their interests lie encourages active engagement.
Think-Pair-Share: Give students time to think on a question (often through writing), pair or group them off to share what they come up with, and then come back together as a larger group; this can help coax quieter students into sharing with larger group discussions.
Hybrid lecturing: 10-12 min. of lecturing followed by a 3-4 min. activity, alternating over desired length, with a 5 min. summary towards the end of class to assess learning.
Short written exercise: Often called the “one minute paper,” this asks students to summarize the day’s discussion in a short 1-2 paragraphs to be turned in before the end of class, providing a good way to review material.
Other resources:
Other resources:
Active Learning, Center for Teaching and Learning, University of Washington.
Active Learning, Center for Educational Innovation, University of Minnesota.
Page updated
Report abuse