Active Learning Groups

What is an Active Learning Group?

Active Learning Groups (ALGs) are an evidence based teaching method in which students’ develop higher level thinking skills. They are consistently rated by students in my classes as one of the most effective ways of learning the material. In active learning groups, students learn to apply concepts, listen to each other, work with others, hear different viewpoints and get to practice skills necessary for interviewing. Students report that these groups are especially valuable in on-line learning as they facilitate building connections with others.

Every class period, groups will meet to address an assignment geared toward helping students develop a more full understanding of the material that they have read. Students will complete a Google Form document during group time. The form will be listed on the Calendar page for that class. Feedback on these forms will be provided by the professor via Google Form. Each member of the group should complete a form although one student will be assigned the task of reporting back to the whole class what the ideas from the group. Forms will generally be graded for completion. Students should be aware that group work that does not fully address the questions posed or is incomplete due to lack of effort will not receive full credit. Outstanding group work may receive extra credit.

There are a total of 28 ALG assignments. 3 ALG assignments will be dropped. Students are encouraged to think of these dropped grades as allotted sick/personal days at a job. You are allotted so many and after that you are docked.

Students are encouraged to submit ALG forms at the end of class. ALG forms will be accepted up until midnight of the following day to accommodate those students working asynchronously. Students working asynchronously will need to coordinate with other students to complete the work.