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.
This module taught me that active learning is a powerful way to develop critical thinking skills by encouraging students to analyze information, consider multiple perspectives, collaborate with peers, and solve real-world problems. Critical thinking goes beyond memorizing facts; it involves evaluating evidence, communicating effectively, reflecting on ideas, and forming well-supported conclusions. The module also highlighted the value of collaborative learning, group discussions, problem-based learning, and self-reflection in helping students construct their own knowledge and become more engaged learners.
I plan to apply these concepts by incorporating more case studies, group activities, discussions, and problem-based learning exercises into my courses. I will encourage students to ask questions, justify their viewpoints, explore different perspectives, and work collaboratively to solve authentic problems. By creating opportunities for reflection and active participation, I can help students strengthen their critical thinking, communication, and decision-making skills while becoming more confident and independent learners.
One of my biggest takeaways from this module is that critical thinking develops when students are given meaningful opportunities to examine different perspectives, question assumptions, collaborate with others, and apply their knowledge to real-world problems. I particularly appreciated the emphasis on problem-based learning and the idea that learning does not always require one correct answer. Sometimes, the most valuable learning occurs through the process of exploring a problem, evaluating evidence, and explaining the reasoning behind a conclusion.
In my role overseeing academic support services at a California community college, I see the importance of these skills through our peer tutoring, academic mentoring, and STEM student success initiatives. We encourage students to work through challenging concepts, explain their reasoning, and learn from one another rather than simply receive answers. This approach is particularly valuable for students preparing for transfer, careers, and other opportunities where they will need to independently evaluate information and solve complex problems.
I also appreciated the discussion of collaborative and cooperative learning. While group activities can strengthen communication, teamwork, and interpersonal skills, they must be intentionally structured to ensure that everyone participates and contributes. Establishing clear expectations, assigning meaningful roles, and incorporating individual accountability and peer reflection are strategies I intend to use in my online courses.
As I continue developing my online teaching practices, I would like to incorporate more real-world case studies, problem-based assignments, and collaborative projects that require students to research issues, evaluate multiple perspectives, and propose evidence-based solutions. I am particularly interested in using scenarios related to education, workplace challenges, and community issues so students can connect what they are learning to situations they may encounter in their personal and professional lives.
Ultimately, this module reinforced that critical thinking is not developed through memorization alone. It requires opportunities for students to engage with challenging questions, learn from mistakes, reflect on their assumptions, and communicate their reasoning. My goal is to create an online learning environment where students feel comfortable asking questions, exploring different perspectives, and taking ownership of their learning while developing skills they can carry beyond the classroom.
When you give you students problem-based learning objectives it can correlate them to real world problems in their careers.
Problem based learning helps students learn by working through real-world problems instead of being given all of the information upfront. Research and collaboration help them to apply their knowledge to find solutions.
Because the Active Learning strategy is a student-focused one, giving the students the methods and means to explore their learning and solve problems allows them to think more critically about how they're approaching any given topic. By collaborating and sharing ideas with their peers, they begin to understand new perspectives, potentially some that challenge their own ideologies. By solving problems that lead to many correct answers through many correct pathways, it allows them to understand that there's never just one way of accomplishing something.
Active learning is important in nursing education because students need to understand how to apply what they learn, not just memorize information for an exam. As a clinical instructor, I have noticed that students learn better when they can practice skills, ask questions, and work through different patient situations. I like using group discussions and hands-on activities because students can share their knowledge and help each other understand difficult concepts.
I plan to continue using patient scenarios, nursing skills demonstrations, and group activities to encourage critical thinking. For example, I can give students a patient situation and have them discuss what they would assess first, what interventions are needed, and why. I also want to encourage students to explain their decisions instead of just giving me the correct answer. My goal is to help students build confidence, improve their clinical judgment, and become better prepared to care for patients.
Using different techniques in active learning can keep students engaged.
While I am already familiar with a variety of active learning techniques for the face-to-face environment, this module gave me more ideas for active learning techniques for the online environment. It also described ways that students' smartphones can be utilized for activities.
Critical Thinking is putting your education to use and using it to make informed decisions
This module has taught me that the learning process of giving students the answer to a question first and allowing them to back track and use the process similar to a jog saw puzzle to understand the why. This is a process that makes the students think critically.
Active learning can help students develop stronger critical-thinking skills because they are not simply receiving information; they are required to think, discuss, solve problems, and explain their reasoning. I especially like the idea of using problem-based learning and small-group activities because students can compare different approaches and learn from one another.
In my math classes, I plan to use more real-world problems that connect mathematics to situations students may experience in healthcare and everyday life. For example, students could work in small groups on dosage calculations, unit conversions, percentages, or interpreting graphs and then explain how they reached their answers. I also plan to use short concept checks and discussions that ask students to explain why a method works instead of only finding the correct answer. My goal is to help students become more confident, independent learners who can apply what they learn to real situations.
problem based learning is an excellent tool to assist students learning. active learning also helps students with engagament.
This module helped me see how group activities can develop critical thinking. When students work together on a meaningful problem, they have to explain their ideas, consider other perspectives, and decide how to use what they have learned. I also learned that group work needs clear instructions, reasonable deadlines, and a way for each student to contribute.
In my online math and statistics classes, I plan to give small groups a real-world problem and ask them to compare their approaches before sharing a solution with the class. I will set clear expectations, check on their progress, and ask students to reflect on what they learned from one another.
Group activities can be a great tool to stimulate critical thinking.
Critical thinking is an essential life skill, and creating problem based learning is an excellent way to help students expand their knowledge and skills.
Students will develop stronger critical-thinking skills when engaged in real-life situations that help them understand what they are learning each day.
Goal is to help students develop their critical thinking skills, which are poor in most students. Like PBL. Would like to use it more.
There are many different learning styles out there but what truly matters is learning about the student and what would best help them. It is up to us as the teachers to find the best fit for the student
After researching the areas individually, students could work in groups to brainstorm, debate, and form a consensus on the initial question posed by the instructor. This type of assignment is timely, relevant, interesting, and can be readily assessed.
