Using Active Learning to Enhance Critical Learning | Origin: EL113
This is a general discussion forum for the following learning topic:
Active Learning in an Online Environment --> Using Active Learning to Enhance Critical 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 is highly effective because it improves student performance, retention, and engagement compared to traditional lecture-based methods. Research consistently shows that when students actively participate, through discussion, problem-solving, collaboration, and reflection, they achieve deeper understanding and stronger long-term outcomes.
Assigning group activities helps promote critical thinking skills while actively learning to implement problem solving skills collaboratively.
Taking this course helped me understand how active learning strategies can directly strengthen students’ critical thinking, problem-solving, and decision-making skills.
Group based learning enforces critical thinking while collaborating. This is important for student engagement and learning.
Group based learning can be extremely beneficial for student skill building when planned effectively.
Active learning can be in many different forms. Planning for active learning activities is essential.
Faculty have got to give students a chance in multiple modalities to show critical thinking is enhanced.
I've learned that not everyone has used critical thinking skills in the past, but with active learning, as an instructor, we should encourage critical thinking.
Particularly in a debate activity, it's important to show that one perspective is not the only perspective and that there could be more than one "right" answer. This will give the students the satisfaction of problem-solving and learning.
I learned that student engagement in online education requires intentional planning. I plan to use active learning strategies, rubrics, and structured feedback to support student growth and learning.
active learning incorporates critical thinking; it can incorporate each student's unique perspective as well as cultural considerations.
Problem solving helps increase learning.
Problem based learning promotes critical thinking
Active learning helps increase critical thinking skills
I am a fan of Dr. Dewey. I studied his work and Knowles' work regarding adult learning and apply it when facilitating. In my doctoral dissertation, my study investigated humor and undergraduate student engagement ("Laughing to Learn: A Quantitative Study of Humor and Student Engagement in Higher Education) if anyone wants to look it up on Google Scholar). I am passionate about finding way to engage all learners and students both graduate and undergraduate.
Problem based learning is effective and reflective
Active learning can help improve critical thinking skills of students by bringing various perspectives together along with conflicting ideas. It can help build rationals for their own perspectives and increase their ability to communicate effectively.
I have learned about the importance of group-based and problem-based active learning strategies in online courses, and how these approaches can foster critical thinking, collaboration, and engagement. I plan to apply these strategies by incorporating structured group activities, real-world problem scenarios, and opportunities for peer reflection into my courses to enhance student learning and participation.
All students in the course learn on different levels. Allowing different formats to help them implement critical thinking skills is great for them to level up on their ability to solve problems.
