Active Learning - What, Why and How?

WHAT – Active learning means students are engaged in higher-order thinking tasks “doing things and thinking about what they are doing”.

WHY – Research has shown that using active learning strategies leads to similar levels of content mastery as a lecture format, but higher levels of thinking and writing skills development. Research also shows that active learning strategies better serve students with various learning styles while also reducing absentee rates. (In one study, the absentee rate dropped from 50% to 1%.)

HOW – Here are some simple, easy-to-implement active learning strategies that research has shown to significantly improve learning.

• Modify the traditional lecture by pausing 3 times for 2 minutes each during a lecture to allow students to review notes.
• Insert brief demonstrations or short, ungraded writing exercises followed by class discussion.
• Split your lecture into two mini-lectures separated by a small group study session built around a study guide.
• Do a guided lecture in which students listen to a 20-30 minutes presentation without taking notes followed by writing for 5 minutes what they remember and spending the remainder of class in small groups clarifying and elaborating on the material.
• Other active learning strategies include case studies, cooperative learning, debates, drama, role playing and peer teaching.
  

Reference:
Bonwell, C., Eison, J., Association for the Study of Higher, E., ERIC Clearinghouse on Higher Education, W., & George Washington Univ., W. (1991). Active Learning: Creating Excitement in the Classroom. 1991 ASHE-ERIC Higher Education Reports. http://search.ebscohost.com