Learning is supposed to be messy. Ideally, it is challenging and full of conversation. However, in most classrooms dominated by lectures, this is not the case. Students will not learn as much in a passive learning setting as they will in an active one. If you want students to improve, you need to stop spoon-feeding them information. It is important that they wrestle with the content both in and out of the classroom. This week we are going to explore active learning.
| Download a Transcript |
Throughout this podcast, I have referenced active learning, but I have never really explained myself. The concept of active learning has been around since the 1860s. I suspect instructors do not use it more in classrooms because it is not convenient for them. It is much easier to just spew out information as though students were sponges.
But research has demonstrated repeatedly that this is not the best way to learn. We learn best when confronted with opportunities to work with concepts.
This week, we are going to examine active learning and provide a list of techniques that you can use in your classroom.
Additional Reading
- ITC: 43 – Using Concept Maps in the Classroom
- ITC: 81 – Using Information Recall Strategies in Your Classroom
- ITC: 108 – How You Can Use the Socratic Discussion Method in Your Classroom
- Interactive Teaching Techniques
- Interactive Techniques (original list)
- Active learning increases student performance in science, engineering, and mathematics
- Engaging Students with Active Learning
- Active Learning Cheat Sheet
- Active Learning
- How Can You Incorporate Active Learning Into Your Classroom?
- From Passive Viewing to Active Learning: Simple Techniques for Applying Active Learning Strategies to Online Course Videos
- Classroom Assessment/Activities Techniques – CATs
- Active Learning Activities
- Active Learning Overview Playlist
- Active Learning | Derek Bok Center
- Active Learning
- Active Learning Strategies for Higher Education: the Practical Handbook
- Active learning
- Active Learning Strategies, Techniques, and Examples You Can Use in Your Course
The producers created this episode of the podcast with the assistance of:
-
- Join me on Facebook
- Other podcast episodes
- Music credit: Purple Planet
- Sponsored product: Text Expander
- Sponsored product: Read to Succeed: The Power of Books to Transform Your Life and to Put You on the Path to Success
Photo by Matthew Kalapuch on Unsplash
In the spirit of full disclosure, this is an affiliate link, which means that if you purchase this item through my link, I will earn a commission. You will not pay more when buying a product through my link. I only recommend products & systems that I use and love myself, so I know you’ll be in good hands.
Plus, when you order through my link, it helps me to continue to offer you lots of free stuff. 🙂 Thank you in advance for your support!


