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.
Active learning keeps students more engaged and lessons can be developed to reach all types of learners.
I learned that active learning guides students from passive listening to actively participating in the learning process. Student activity and participation are fundamental principles of active learning, encompassing actions such as speaking, listening, writing, reading, and reflecting on course materials, that greatly increase student interest, engagement, and motivation. To encourage greater participation, I plan to place more emphasis on creating more interactive content. After completing this module, I gained several ideas for enriching my course content to enhance students' learning processes in a more meaningful way. Since I'm halfway through this semester, I plan to implement this in the next semester.
From this module, I’ve learned that active learning shifts the responsibility of learning away from the instructor and toward the student, emphasizing participation, collaboration, and reflection rather than passive listening. It encourages students to take ownership of their education through discussion, problem-solving, and critical analysis skills that are increasingly vital in both academic and professional contexts.
I also gained insight into the historical context of active learning, particularly its rise in the 1980s and 1990s when educators began recognizing that traditional lecture methods often failed to promote critical thinking or long-term retention. The approach aligns well with modern educational goals, especially in online learning environments, where student engagement can be more challenging.
I intend to make learning more interactive, student-centered, and focused on developing critical thinking and real-world problem-solving skills.
I learned that active learning engages students through discussion, reflection, collaboration, and problem-solving. I plan to apply this by using more student-centered activities, such as discussions, short writing tasks, and reflective exercises, to promote critical thinking and real-world connections.
I've learned the importance of active learning for online and F2F teaching, as students retain more information when they are actively learning vs passive learning being force feed information.
Thinking back on the days of passive listening during my education, I understand completely how active learning can transform a students educational experience. I plan to incorporate more group activities as Marc Presky noted that students born after 1994 are more likely to enjoy group activities.
Comment on Kathryn Sellers's post: This lesson is based on the best evidence based practices which supports improved outcomes through active learning strategies.
It's important to be interactive so the learning is active vs. passive
Instructors must provide an environment where students are interested in learning.
as instructors we have to make sure our lessons are mixed with the active learning, not just passive learning
Active learning is geared towards better student interaction and participation in the learning process. it places the emphasis on the student and must be effectively facilitated by the instructor. It has been shown to result in better student outcomes.
This is a change from past lerning, where the teacher controlled the process.
Comment on claire wilson's post: also interaction
There is quite a bit of information is this section. I do see a lot of interest in the active learning category.
From this module, I have learned the definition and importance of active learning and how essential it is to effective instruction. I now understand that students learn best when they are actively engaged in the learning process rather than simply listening to lectures. Creating opportunities for discussion, problem-solving, and hands-on activities helps students think critically and retain information more effectively. Moving forward, I intend to apply this by incorporating more interactive strategies into my teaching, encouraging participation, and designing lessons that involve students in their own learning. By using active learning techniques, I can help create a more engaging and meaningful classroom experience.
It's important to be interactive with the students when in an online setting.
I think it important to recognize why a student might be feeling unmotivated in class; is it outside stress, do they feel like they don't understand the lesson, do they need a variation in teaching style to better connect with the lesson.
Love this approach. It does create a win win for all involved. I can't wait to create activities and utilize this approach.
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.
