How to Incorporate Active Learning Activities and Strategies in Your Classroom
The majority of us believe we understand what active learning entails. The word “engagement” comes to me right away. Or, to put it another way, we define what it isn’t: passive learning. There are many definitions of active learning, but the one given by Bonwell and Learner, centered in an early (and now classic) monograph is commonly cited: “engaging students in doing thoughts out about things they are doing.” Those are excellent choices, but as interest in independent learning has grown—and its worth has been scientifically established—what qualifies as active learning has expanded.
“Active learning is a fairly broad notion that covers or is connected with a broad variety of learning methodologies,” Carr, Palmer, and Hagel noted recently (p. 173). Differentiated instruction; learning by doing (hands-on) are examples of this type of learning. Lab work; role-playing; case-based having to learn; group activities of various kinds; tech methods such as simulation results, tournaments, clickers, and various smartphone apps; and student engagement, with engagement and debate probably being one of the most widely used of any and all active instructional strategies. Beyond techniques, there are theories like constructivism, which have spawned a slew of student-centered methods that promote individual autonomy, self-direction, and self-regulation.
Understanding Active Learning
The majority of us believe we understand what active learning entails. The word “engagement” comes to mind right away. Or, to put it another way, we define what it isn’t: passive learning. There are many definitions of active learning, but the one given by Bonwell and Learner, centered in an early (and now classic) monograph, is commonly cited: “engaging students in doing thoughts out about things they are doing.”
As interest in independent learning has grown—and its worth has been scientifically established—what qualifies as active learning has expanded. Carr, Palmer, and Hagel noted: “Active learning is a fairly broad notion that covers or is connected with a broad variety of learning methodologies.” Examples include differentiated instruction, hands-on learning, lab work, role-playing, case-based learning, group activities, tech methods like simulations, clickers, and smartphone apps, as well as student engagement through discussions and debates. Theories like constructivism have further promoted methods that encourage autonomy, self-direction, and self-regulation.
Incorporating Active Learning Strategies
Here are some ways to effectively integrate active learning tactics into your classroom:
- Start Small: Begin with one simple active learning method to test in class. Explain the advantages of this approach and tie it to the class’s learning objectives. Plan the activity carefully:
- How will you introduce the activity?
- How much time will students need?
- What method will you use to debrief?
- Monitor Progress: Regularly check in with students through informal and formal feedback to assess how these strategies are impacting their learning experience.
- Manage Transitions: Plan how to guide students (in small or large groups) back on track after completing active learning activities.
Overcoming Common Challenges
Incorporating active learning into your classroom is not without challenges. Here are some typical hurdles and solutions:
1. Will I have to restructure my course entirely?
No. Active learning can be introduced gradually. For example, Professor Fei Wen added a video assignment to her upper-level chemistry class, leading to improved concept retention without modifying lectures or tests. Similarly, Professor Lisa Young improved her students’ writing skills by making small adjustments over time.
2. Is my class too large for active learning techniques?
Large classes can still benefit from active learning. Start with simple methods like pair-and-share activities. Professor David Gerdes used technology to poll students in real-time, helping gauge their understanding effectively.
3. Will it take too much time to explain tools or techniques?
Use resource hubs like CRLT, the Language Resource Center (LRC), or Scholar Space for support. For instance, Professor Nicholas Henriksen collaborated with the LRC to create screencast videos, saving time for in-class discussions.
4. Will I have enough time to cover content?
Active learning requires reallocating time from traditional methods. Professor Remington “flipped” his classroom by assigning self-study units before class, freeing up class time for active discussions. Professor Gabaron leveraged her students’ diverse interests to enrich the learning experience without losing structure.
5. What if students refuse to participate?
Resistance is common but can be addressed. A U-M engineering study with 1,051 students found minimal resistance to active learning when instructors explained the purpose and value of these activities beforehand.
Conclusion
Integrating active learning into your classroom can be transformative. Start small, plan carefully, and address challenges proactively. With time, you’ll notice significant improvements in student engagement and learning outcomes.
Written for educators looking to enhance classroom engagement through active learning strategies.
FAQs
What are some techniques for putting active learning into practice?
Role-playing, case studies, project's economic, think-pair-share, cooperative learning, debates, Only Teaching, and quick examples followed by classroom discussions are all examples of active learning strategies. There are two simple strategies to use the debate to enhance active learning.
What are some examples of active learning activities?
Any learning activity in which the student actively participates or interacts with the learning process rather than passively absorbing knowledge is referred to as active learning. Students do better when they are given the opportunity to actively engage with the content they are learning.
What are the benefits of active learning exercises for students?
Active learning encourages students to establish connections between their existing knowledge and new concepts, allowing them to reflect on their comprehension. Students are frequently asked to make their reasoning explicit in active learning assignments, which helps instructors to assess student learning.
What are the benefits of active learning for teachers?
In the past, lectures were used to introduce new concepts to pupils, and active learning was used to help them master them. Teachers and students have more one-on-one engagement during active learning activities, with students receiving regular and quick feedback from instructors.
