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Last Reviewed:
December 19, 2024
First Published:
June 1, 2022
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Prince (2004) defines active learning as “any instructional method that engages students in the learning process. In short, active learning requires students to do meaningful learning activities and think about what they are doing” (p. 223). Faculty facilitate an active learning environment when students are not only passive recipients of knowledge but are also active participants in knowledge creation and assimilation. Some examples of active learning techniques include problem-based learning, hands-on activities, gamification, case-based learning, interactive lecturing, team-based learning, class discussions, simulation, and role-play.
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Use the comments section below to let us know your ideas about active learning.
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Research shows that students who participate in active learning strategies increase exam scores, while students who participate in traditional lectures are “1.5 times more likely to fail” (Freeman et al., 2014).
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Freeman, S., Eddy, S.L., McDonough, M., Smith, M.K., Okoroafor, N., Jordt, H., & Wenderoth, M.P. (2014). Active learning increases student performance in science, engineering, and mathematics. PNAS, 111(23), 8410-8415.
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When deciding to integrate active learning strategies into your course/classroom, start small. Choose one strategy to try out in one class and see how it goes. Do not get discouraged if it does not work the first time.
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When giving lectures, chunk the content into 15-minute segments and insert a short active learning strategy in between each segment. You could insert a poll everywhere question, ask students to identify the muddiest point, ask students a question such as how is this relevant or does this make sense and give them a minute to think and jot down an answer (1-minute write), or ask the students to reflect on the concept presented.
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When using active learning strategies, consider the logistics of implementing the activity, e.g., time needed for instructions, for students to complete, and setting up groups.
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