Active Learning

Using Active Learning Strategies

to Create an Exciting Learning
Environment
“The Voice of the Active Learner”

What does this mean for our teaching?

Basic Elements of Active
Learning
1. Talking & Listening
2. Writing
3. Reading
4. Reflecting
What is Active Learning?
● What does it mean to you?
○ Is it possible to learn passively? Or is all
learning active?
Active Learning
● Refers to the mode of instruction
○ Not the typical “teacher talks, students listen”
instruction
● Gives students the opportunity to clarify,
question, apply, and consolidate
knowledge
● Does not mean abandoning lecturing
● Can work in any classroom

“Active learning involves students in doing things and thinking about the things
they are doing.” - Charles C. Bonwell, Ph.D.
Types of Active Learning
Strategies
1. Individual activities
2. Paired activities
3. Informal small groups
4. Cooperative student projects
Things to Consider when
Planning an Activity
● What are your objectives?
● When will it occur? How much time will you spend?
● Will students write ideas or just discuss them?
● Will you grade responses?
● If students participate in a discussion, how will you
make sure they leave with confidence in their
understanding?
● What preparation do you need to use the activity? What
preparation do students need to participate fully?
Comparison of Low & High Risk
Active Learning Strategies
Examples of Activities
Lower Risk Activities
● Short writes
● Thumbs response to statement
● Surveys or questionnaires
● Formative (ungraded) quizzes
● Think-Pair-Share
● Develop an outline of the lecture
● Structured group discussions
(questions provided)
Higher Risk Activities
● Group discussion (no structure)
● Guided lecture
● Individual/group presentations
● Pairs/groups write test questions
related to lecture material
● Students analyze a problem,
poem, photography, etc.
● Students work a problem, then
evaluate each others’ work
● Role plays illustrating a concept
from the lecture
● Responsive lecture
Active Learning Activities
Personal Favorites
Muddiest Point
Ask the Winner
Ask students to silently solve a problem on
the board. After revealing the answer,
instruct those who got it right to raise their
hands (and keep them raised); then, all
other students are to talk to someone with a
raised hand to better understand the
question and how to solve it next time.
3-2-1 Format
After students engage with a text or lesson, ask them to
answer the following questions in a small group:
● Three things that they have learned from this lesson or
text.
● Two questions that they still have.
● One aspect of the class/text that they enjoyed.
Use students’ responses to guide teaching decisions. 3-2-1
responses can help you identify areas that you may need to
review again or activities/concepts that are especially
interesting to students.
Minute Paper Shuffle
Ask students to write a relevant question
about the material, using no more than a
minute, and collect them all. Shuffle and
re-distribute, asking each student to answer
his or her new question. This can be
continued a second or third round with the
same questions.
Barriers & Obstacles
● My Students Don’t Want Active Learning
● My Students are Complaining about
Active Learning
● I’m Not in Control with Active Learning
● Active Learning Takes Too Much Time
● My Students Won’t Work in Groups
Together
● My Students Don’t Take Peer Review
Seriously