Documentation:FlISWModuleActiveLearningHigherEd

Time to complete this module

30 minutes

Learning Objectives

By the end of this module you will be able to

• Provide a definition for Active Learning
• Evaluate certain techniques as to whether they could be considered Active Learning.
• Identify a few techniques which might and might not work in your own discipline.

Watch

Please watch the following video to have a general idea of what Active Learning could involve.

Reflect and Discuss

Now, having learned about what is most commonly considered as Active Learning, let's do some critical analysis! Let's consider a broader yet more precise definition for Active Learning:

“Active learning comprises many ideas, but basically it requires that students participate in the learning process. Active learning asks that students use content knowledge, not just acquire it. This definition is brief and general, but it is sufficient to describe many teaching techniques that involve students in the learning process“ – Dr. Beverly J. Cameron, ‘Active Learning’, from STLHE Green Guides series

Taking this definition as the basis, discuss whether you think each of the following teaching techniques could be an instance of Active Learning. Briefly state your reasons. Does any of your answers seem to be in disagreement with the above video? If so, please discuss the discrepancy with reference to Dr. Cameron's definition.

1. Students sitting quietly, listening to a lecture
2. Individual students solving a physics problem in class, without the permission to talk to one another
3. Different students reading out designated sections of a particular chapter of a textbook throughout the class, so that the whole chapter is covered by the end of the class

Use the Comments box below to discuss your views. Please reply to at least one (1) other participant's comment to explain if and why you agree/disagree with them.

Discuss

Download the list of Active Learning Techniques for Higher Education (link above) and familiarize yourself with the techniques. We will use this list in more depth during the workshop. For now, please review the document and picking from the provided list of techniques:

• Mention two (2) techniques that you think could be used in your particular discipline.
• Mention one (1) technique that you believe cannot be implemented in an actual classroom setting in your discipline. Briefly mention why you believe it cannot be used.

Use the Comments box below to discuss your views.

Go Further

• Read pages 67 to 80 in your ISW manual.
• Learn about different classifications of active learning in Webster University's Active Learning Handbook [1]
• See UBC Wiki (Active Learning)