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.
I will implement various teaching modalities to ensure students are engaged and have opportunities to apply information they have learned.
Encourage students to actively participate in class discussions and use their thinking skills to answer questions, keep students engaged in content being taught, ask problem-solving questions.
I have learned that it is important to not only make the learning student focused but to ensure that it is active. Active learning is more than writing and discussion groups. I plan to apply this knowledge by ensuring there is at least one unique activity included with each lesson. Ask the students what types of learning encourages them the most, then use those responses to create the different activities.
As an instructor, I need to ensure that I am taking on the role of facilitator more than lecturer. I need to give space for the students to fully engage in the content. By creating these opportunities, students will master and apply the skills and knowledge better to the real world and learn beneficial skills like collaboration.
I have learned that as an instructor, I need to mold my way of teaching to continue to be more interactive. I have also learned that the online classes also need to find and implement creative ways for the students to interact with each other and participate.
I have definitely expanded my definition of active. As I prepare an asynchronous course, I will keep in mind that even this method of delivery can lend itself to activities that allow students to take more responsibility in the learning process. It is my hope that institutions will allow creative and dedicated instructors the freedom to create assignments and events that support active learning. The comments in this lesson related to the instructors' giving up some control caught my attention. That control is more likely to be released if instructors feel their judgment is respected.
Students who have grown up with technology tend to learn more efficiently in active learning environments compared to the traditional lecture-based model. This means I need to adapt my teaching style and let go of some control over how content is introduced. In an active learning classroom, my role shifts from being the primary source of information to becoming a coach or facilitator, while students take ownership of their learning through discussion, research, collaboration, problem-solving, and leadership. Although creating and maintaining an active learning environment will require more preparation and effort at first, the long-term benefit is that students will retain more knowledge and develop stronger skills.
Active learning allows students to think critically, work collaboratively, and take accountability for their own learning. I plan to use more reflective writing and group work activities in my online courses to encourage participation and deepen understanding.
Continue to ask lots of questions in discussion boards to stimulate students thinking.
Providing time in between mini-lessons to encourage activity within the course is fun for everyone! While students are engaging in active activities, they more often than not provide great insights into course topics. Students can answer their peers' questions and are interested in what their peers have to say.
Active listening helps students in many ways, including their ability to think critically and to retain knowledge.
I believe active learning is the best method, it allows different styles or options for learning. Students who are engaged tend to remember and are able to apply what they have learned. Open discussions and projects seem to motivate students and instructor relationships with make the student feel more comfortable when they need additional instruction or guidance. It encourages them to think critically; problem solve more effectively. Our technology allows for us to utilize so many different types of platforms every student can learn more effectively.
Active is just that active. Which means students have to have a sense of positive interdependence course competence, self-directed learning and planning, along with the ability to be self-reflective and individually accountable.
I have been engaging in this process already for several years. In an exclusively virtual class, I create activities where students can debate, discuss their experiences related to the content, forms groups and complete various activities, and I even have students teach some content and take over for me. I constantly develop new strategies. I enjoy it. It's fun, and hopefully fun and engaging for the learners as well.
I learned to maintain interactive activities for student engagement
From this module, I’ve learned that effective teaching and learning require intentional structure balanced with opportunities for self-direction and reflection. Immersion in the topic helps students connect deeply with the material, while self-reflection allows both instructor and student to recognize growth and areas for improvement. I also see the importance of balancing individual accountability with teamwork and interdependence, as both are key to developing professional collaboration skills.
Going forward, I intend to apply these principles by creating more structured learning experiences that include clear deadlines, meaningful communication, and ongoing formative assessments, while still encouraging students to take an active, self-directed role in their own learning.
I learnt about what active learning actually is, why we do it and why its effective. I will incorporate more activities that align with this moving forward, to maximize student engagement.
Reading how active learning techniques gained its momentum in the 80’s-90’s was incredibly interesting to me. I remember being in classroom settings and taking online courses and always feeling like my attention span was shorter during lecture only classes. Having open class discussions always helped me understand and retain information the best.
In this module, I learned how to implement active learning online by guiding students through collaborative projects, reflective writing, and problem-solving activities. I plan to apply these strategies to increase engagement, critical thinking, and student responsibility in my courses.
