Active learning calls on student direction and engagement. The instructor's job is to guide students through materials rather than lecture them on content. I implement this in my classroom by including interactable slides and discussion sections.
Providing students with challenging, thought-provoking tasks is important to promoting an active learning environment. It is important to find the right level of challenging for students so that they do not shut down. This can be achieved by making sure there are appropriate supports provided for students to complete these challenging tasks.
Students are responsible for their own learning. Our role is to help facilitate that process.
Active learning doesn't have to add a lot time in planning lessons but can help students better understand the material.
The biggest take away from me is that the lesson must be engaging but also reflective. The student should walk away from the lesson connecting their background knowledge to the concepts covered in the lesson.
Active learning is an approach to instruction that involves actively engaging students with the course material through discussions, problem-solving, case studies, role plays, and other methods.
It is interesting how many would consider active learning elements as a natural part of online learning, but it is still typically easier in synchronous environments. The examples used for asynchronous learning will definitely be helpful in still incorporating active learning for relevant course content.
My take away from this is that I can see why active learning may be difficult to transition to for professors who are used to a more standard method. But really, its not that different than what has been done in the past. Plus it is way more engaging for the students. Plus it helps the student take ownership of their own learning.
Hellos everyone;
Active learning is a teaching and learning strategy that involves engaging learners in meaningful and interactive activities that promote critical thinking, problem-solving, and collaboration. Active learning methods are characterized by students' active participation in the learning process, rather than passive observation of lectures or reading materials.
Active learning approaches include, but are not limited to, class discussions, group projects, case studies, role-playing, and simulations. These methods encourage students to become more engaged and invested in their learning by actively constructing knowledge, applying concepts to real-world situations, and collaborating with their peers.
Active learning is essential because it enhances students' retention of information, improves their critical thinking and problem-solving skills, and fosters a deeper understanding of the subject matter. Additionally, it promotes the development of social and emotional skills, such as teamwork, communication, and empathy, which are essential in today's workforce.
Active learning also addresses the limitations of traditional passive learning methods, which may not be effective for all learners. Active learning encourages diverse learning styles and provides multiple opportunities for students to engage with the material, leading to a more inclusive and equitable learning environment.
Best Regards,
Dr. Abreu
The responsibility of learning the course material falls on the student while the instructor serves as a mentor. I love this idea of being a mentor to my students. When I think about the college courses in which I learned the most, I notice those were the courses I had a mentor relationship with the professor and not a strict “professional” relationship. I learned and enjoyed the most when I felt a connection with the professor and other students. I am looking forward to cultivating that type of relationship with my students! I believe this mentor relationship will encourage a love of learning for years to come
I learned that the skills I brought with me from the traditional classroom will most likely need to be modified in order to be successful in the online environment. I will need to relinquish control, and yet at the same time maintain a form of control over the classroom to ensure that the students are reaching the learning objective before we are done.
If they aren't actively engaged, students just won't learn and won't really retain the material. It's too easy to disconnect, get distracted, and treat school as just another thing vying for your attention - and there are many things seeking our attention these days. I think online learning requires more than the usual planning, since students have so many distractions present in this environment.
You must have mastery of your subject matter as the teacher, but the challenge is to cater the content to the different learning styles of the students.
Students engaged in their learning is active learning and allows the student to retain more information.
I gave it thought that we can become scripted on the information we provide. I have learned that the more we envovle the learner in their learning as far as giving them responsibility, they more effective the information is on sticking.
Student is responsible for their own learning - I am just there as their coach. Engage them in thinking.
Facilitating an active environment where an instructor takes the role of a coach is a refreshing approach towards educational content that emphasizes a hands on experience to let content sink in, and connects back to what I found were the most beneficial ways that I learned during higher ed. Recognizing what responsibilities fall on the shoulders of students during a course helps in understanding the role of a teacher and how to present lessons and activities
I liked how they noted that the core elements of active learning activities were that students must read, write, discuss, reflect or be engaged in problem solving. And further, that there' are many different strategies that can work in both small and large group projects or individual activities.
I learned that students learn more effectively when actively engaged during their coursework. The student's learning experience also improves when they are encouraged to work in groups and to help their peers.
An instructor can approach one portion of the class with the Collaborative Learning Method by creating group activities, and grading the groups as a whole. Then they could later approach their class with the Cooperative Learning Method, still directing a group activity, but grading the students individually instead.
The cooperative method is similar to the way that a film or production crew would work together to create a project. They're all working together to create something, but are ultimately evaluated in their abilities as individuals in the workplace. I intend to apply this method more in my teaching to encourage teamwork, self-directed learning, and communication. All of these skills are essential to the line of work that they'd like to work in.
I really like the idea that "activities or assignments that increase students’ attention span and keep them engaged in the class, are at the heart of active learning..." It is refreshing that students are encouraged to take more responsibility for their learning, through the active learning environment.
I am looking forward to discovering and implementing more active learning modules and activities in my algebra and stats courses.
I understand the importance of providing the students a chance to reflect and solve problems as they related to lecture.
