Active learning engages students actively in the learning process, requiring them to read, write, discuss, and solve problems, fostering higher-order thinking skills like analysis and synthesis. It shifts the responsibility for learning to the students, encouraging interaction with peers and the lecture material.
The following active learning strategies can have a huge impact on students.
- Reciprocal Questioning: Students create questions and ask their peers.
- Embrace the Pause: Take short breaks for discussions and questions every 10-15 minutes.
- The Golden Nugget: Identify the key information and its relevance at the end of class.
- One Minute Paper: Write a brief response to a posed question in 60 seconds.
- KWL (Know-Want-Learn): Write what you know, want to know, and have learned.
Why Active Learning is Important?
Active learning can be a valuable technique of teaching due to the following points:
- Stimulates curiosity and interest in the subject matter.
- Enhances retention and understanding of course material.
- Promotes self-directed learning and personal responsibility for knowledge acquisition.
- Develops essential life skills such as communication, teamwork, and decision-making.
- Adaptable to various learning styles, catering to a diverse student body.
Real Life Scenario
In a high school physics class learning about satellites and orbits, the teacher applied active learning:
- Prep and Questions: Students read about satellites and orbits before class and answered provided questions.
- Think-Pair-Share: The teacher asked thought-provoking questions, students thought individually, discussed in pairs, and shared with the class.
- Gallery Walk: Students moved around the room, discussing satellite visuals, orbits, and communication concepts, reinforcing understanding.
- Jigsaw Activity: Small groups researched different aspects of satellite technology, shared expertise, and collaborated to build a comprehensive understanding.
- Interactive Quiz: Students answered satellite technology quiz questions using smartphones or laptops, receiving instant feedback.
- Role-Playing: Students acted out satellite launch and communication processes, enhancing understanding through a hands-on activity.
These engaging activities made learning about satellites and orbits more interactive and memorable for the students.
Effective Active Learning Strategies for Teachers
- Reciprocal Questioning
- Think-Pair-Share
- Jigsaw Technique
- Case Studies
- Role-Playing
- Gallery Walk
- Debates and Discussions
- Concept Mapping
- Interactive Quizzes or Polls
- Problem-Solving Tasks
- Peer Teaching
- Simulations or Games
- One-Minute Papers
- Flipped Classroom Approach
