ACTIVE LEARNING

Active learning is any activity that engages students beyond just listening is
technically active learning. When we lecture, we are basically telling student what they need
to know. But sudents remember far more of what they say and to than of what they hear and
see. Sometimes you have to lecture, but even lecturing can be broken up by short activities
that help students learn more effectively.
Examples of activities in class:
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.

Collaborative learning (peer instruction, paired problem solving).

Problem formulation and prediction.
Trouble-shooting.
Brainstorming.
Concept mapping.
More advanced active learning techniques:

1. Role-playing, simulations and games.

2. Case studies.
3. Challenge-based learning or problem-based learning.
The benefits of active learning:
1. Improved attendance-class is now something different and is attending is more
whortwhile.
2. Deeper questioning-students get to practice answering and generating questions.
3. Higher grades and lower failing rates-research is providing evidence of this.
How to implement active learning:
1. Explain what you are doing and why up front; get student buy-in. This limits
complaints from students that you are not actually teaching.
2. For paired or group acivities, have the students form into groups of 2-4 where they are
sitting. This saves time in regrouping, and gives students a sense of control over the
activity.
3. Assign roles; most often groups need a recorder to capture ideas, but occasionally
different roles might be appropriate (timekeeper, monitor, technician).
4. Explain the task, and this can typically be done orally. For moe complicated problems
or activities, a slide, handout or steps written on the board would be helpful.
5. Call on inviduals randomly, both while working and when the activily ends. This is an
important step to keep students accountable.
6. Keep activities short to keep students from wandering off task and to reduce
frustration for groups that are struggling.
7. Always circulate around the room to listen in, give hints, and check for understanding.
8. Vary the activities you do with students rather than rely on the same in-class activity
or format. Use different structures (pairs, groups, reflections, etc.) to keep the class
interesting.
How to find the time to fit in active learning and still cover everything:

1. Reduce the time needed for note-taking. Free up time by putting some of your class
material on handouts, leaving gaps and inserting questions.
2. Reduce the time needed for lecturing. Record some of your lectures online and assign
viewing it outside of class (aka flipped classroom). Follow up with directed
questions or applying concepts in a problem during an activity.
3. Assign readings or post videos to be viewed online to introduce the topic you are
teaching. Follow up with directed questions or applying concepts in a problem during
an activity.
TAPPS: Thingking Aloud Paired Problem Solving:
1. The instructor defines the activity or problem.
2. The problem solves talks through the first part of the solution or derivation.
3. The listener questions, gives hints where needed, and keeps the problem solver
talking.
4. After several minutes the instructor stops the activity, collects solutions from
several listeners to make sure everyone in class understands up to that point.
5. Pairs reverse roles and continue.