Definition and Importance of Active Learning | Origin: EL113
This is a general discussion forum for the following learning topic:
Active Learning in an Online Environment --> Definition and Importance of Active Learning
Post what you've learned about this topic and how you intend to apply it. Feel free to post questions and comments too.
Comment on Matthew Corbin's post: One of the areas my school is greatly concerned about is student engagement. This will help me formulate plans to help with this area.
I like the strategy! It is a win-win for the instructor and the student. The goal is comprehension and the ability to critically think through information.
Comment on Lindsay Noelke's post:
Like you, I gained a lot from what I heard. I do plan to probably listen again and implement what I feel will work with my adult groups.
Comment on Kathy Barajas's post: I agree with the content presented. As you state, it puts the student in charge, but as the instructor, we still have the responsibility to guide the process. This means coming up with engagement methods.
I can definitely see the advantages of active learning. My next step is to determine the correct strategies for my subjects. I look forward to developing this type of instructional change.
Online learning poses some issues, but it definitely requires different techniques than those I have traditionally used. I can see that engaging students in active learning activities would definitely be more effective. The issue is to develop something for the time constraints I am working with,
What stood out to me most was the part about interdependence in the learning process and how important it is in the process. I will incorporate this into my courses by assigning different rotating tasks to students that deal with classroom management. I want the students to get in the habit of seeing each other as resources.
Learning is not "content delivery." It is the process of students doing something—solving problems, debating, or creating—rather than just watching videos or reading text.
Learning is not "content delivery." It is the process of students doing something—solving problems, debating, or creating—rather than just watching videos or reading text.
I learned that active learning shifts responsibility from the instructor to the student, encouraging participation, reflection, collaboration, and problem-solving instead of passive listening. I intend to apply it by integrating more interactive strategies such as discussions, reflective activities, group work, and real-world problem scenarios to engage students more deeply and strengthen meaningful learning outcomes.
Active learning is key to student succcess and soemthing I can relate to from my days in undergrad vs grad school with two different approaches and te active approach always allowing me to learn the most.
Active learning is a student-centered approach that promotes engagement, critical thinking, and meaningful participation. In virtual education—both synchronous and asynchronous—it is essential for keeping students motivated and actively involved in the learning process.
Through discussions, collaborative activities, real-world scenarios, and reflective tasks, active learning helps transform online classes from passive content delivery into interactive learning experiences. This approach improves knowledge retention, supports higher-order thinking, and enhances the overall effectiveness of virtual learning environments.
These lessons on Active Learning seem to be a clear admission that traditional learning has failed to engaged many students on they path to learn, specially with the arrival of new on-line teaching technology. It is all good news, anyway, as we, teachers, are now more aware that we must concentrate on engagement and reflective, critical thinking with the students while they are learning. An advise which is also very relevant in the new context of AI-assisted learning.
El aprendizaje activo es un enfoque educativo que se centra en involucrar a los estudiantes de manera directa y participativa en el proceso de aprendizaje. En lugar de ser receptores pasivos de informacion, los estudiantes son los protagonistas de su propio aprendizaje, explorando, discutiendo, resolviendo problemas y aplicando el conocimiento
El aprendizaje activo es un enfoque educativo que enfatiza la participación activa de los estudiantes en su proceso de aprendizaje, asignando la responsabilidad del mismo a ellos mientras el docente actúa como facilitador. Este método, impulsado en las décadas de 1980 y 1990 por un informe de la Asociación para el Estudio de la Educación Superior (ASHE), promueve habilidades de pensamiento crítico y una comprensión profunda del contenido al ir más allá de las lecciones magistrales tradicionales. Las prácticas de aprendizaje activo han demostrado mejorar la motivación y satisfacción de los estudiantes, fomentando un entorno educativo más atractivo y colaborativo. Sin embargo, su implementación puede enfrentar barreras, como la resistencia a cambiar métodos de enseñanza tradicionales, lo que subraya la necesidad de formación y apoyo institucional para los educadores.
I think active learning strategies are essential to effective learning today. With that said, it can be difficult for student's who lack internal motivation to stay on task sometimes or exert themselves to their fullest potential.
The traditional lecture-style classroom is not an effective method for students to learn. Active learning is anything where the students engage with the material and take learning into their own hands. This can involve reading and reflecting, doing activities, or group work. Group work is very effective, especially for the digital native generation. I will incorporate more group activities into my classroom in the future.
How asynchronous learning seems to be the norm now and how to navigate this platform
Active learning is the ideal format for effective learning. While lecture is traditional, especially in higher education, research has shown that is is less effective than active learning. In an online setting, active learning can be accomplished in a variety of ways (asynchronous discussion/debate, group projects, etc.).
