The Importance of Passive Learning | Origin: EL120
This is a general discussion forum for the following learning topic:
Fully Online Doesn’t Mean Inactive --> The Importance of Passive Learning
Post what you've learned about this topic and how you intend to apply it. Feel free to post questions and comments too.
Courses should be designed with both passive and active learning elements.
Passive learning is almost always necessary prior to active learning occurring. For example, I used passive learning when I conducted a pre-briefing session prior to a simulation. I presented students with the background information they needed to know to care for the patient and engage fully in the simulation.
Observing and listening to a procedure or a discussion can allow students to reflect on their own skills and improve their performance. Passive learning can be one of the first few steps in permanent learning. Students can listen, watch and discuss the steps in a procedure before practicing the procedure for themselves. Think about students who are tasked with watching and critiquing their peers perfrom a task. After watching one or two groups, the student begins to plan what they will do differently when it is their time to perfrom. In this example, the passive learning phase is laying the foundation for real learning.
This module on the importance of passive learning really helped me appreciate the role of reflection and observation in the learning process. I’ve learned that while active engagement is crucial, there’s also value in giving students the space to absorb information at their own pace—whether that’s through watching a lecture, reading a text, or listening to a discussion. Passive learning isn’t about being disengaged; it’s about creating opportunities for students to process and internalize concepts before applying them.
It is important to realize that we can engage in passive learning every day as we watch and listen to people around us or observe signs, directions, and read and watch online information and shows.
This course has helped me to understand the differences between active, passive, and inactive learning. This course has been more helpful than I anticipated.
Passive learning is just as important as active and lifelong learning...
I plan on using this useful information in my classroom.
Passive learning is not totally bad, if fact sometimes it is good
Passive learning is one part of an entire puzzle used in an effective online environment. While an entire course of passive learning is not positive, it still can be integral in a successful course.
Passive learning differs from inactivity. Educators must allow students time to engage with the content presented.
Passive learning is fascinating - I also like how it distinguishes between passive and inactive.
Both active learning and passive learning are important. Passive learning is important to get direct information out quickly. Active learning can be used to further develop the student's understanding of the content that has been presented to them. It can further support repetition and memory of content.
Students cannot actively engage with material without having a foundation from which to build an understanding; therefore, students must be (passively) provided this foundation then transitioned to a point of actively engaging with it.
Passive learning is necessary to build off of the content in order for students to better understand. However, in an online environment, the lack of feedback is a disadvantage. It is then important to engage with students with active learning activities.
It is key to have students passive learn at first if we want to see them actively learn later on. Passive learning can help expose new information to a large group of people at once. Therefore, this can be an advantage to educators.
Passive learning is needed to reach a point that students are prepared to effectively use active learning techniques. However, relying only on passive learning can lead to inactive learning as there is no engagement or moving forward. Working in an asynchronous learning environment, I want to be conscious of the amount of passive learning there is and if there are lead-ups to active learning.
While active learning is where higher level learning takes place, passive learning is a necessary foundation for active learning, as facts and concepts are provided and reviewed in preparation for the active and higher level portion of the learning. In other words, you must provide the information before asking the student to apply it.
