4A Introduction to Active Learning

Module 4A: Intro to Active Learning | Module 4B: Test Active Learning with Peers | Module 4C: Test Active Learning with Your Class

Module 4A Description: Active learning strategies in the classroom are here to stay! Instructors have integrated active learning into traditional classrooms, hybrid classrooms, online classrooms, K-12 classrooms, workshops and training, etc. So learning more about active learning will be time well spent since these are strategies that can be integrated into any type of instructional planning you are involved in. Active learning is an especially important component of the flipped classroom and can be used to plan application, analysis, and synthesis activities in the classroom after they watch and interact with the online lectures. In this module you will view and hear about what active learning really means and why it might be a good strategy for you to use in your face-to-face classroom as part of your flipped classroom.

As you watch the videos and read through the articles, reflect on how these types of learning experiences might work in your discipline or classroom because you will be discussing what you learn or questions you have about active learning with your peers at the end of this module. What strategies are you especially interested in learning more about?

Module 4A Objectives: At the end of this module, participants will have:

Articulated active learning strategies that work in their discipline

Expected Time (Module 4A): about 1 hour

Active learning has been shown to increase student learning outcomes. Check out this latest Press Release Links to an external site. from NSF. Fewer students fail when you do active learning in your class.

Watch these online lectures about active learning and what students have to say about active learning:

Link to Dr. Felder's Active Learning Link Links to an external site.

NWIA Community College Active Learning Link Links to an external site.

What a student says about engagement in the classroom Links to an external site.

A student description of Team-Based Learning (TBL) -
a more structured active learning Links to an external site.

Read the following articles on active learning:

"Active Learning: An Introduction," by Dr. Richard Felder and Rebecca Brent
"What is Active Learning," from the University of Minnesota
"Quick Before It Dries," from Steve Adams, University of Minnesota, Duluth
The Active Learning Continuum Links to an external site. From the Active Learning Resource Page on the Center of Research on Learning and Teaching, University of Michigan Links to an external site.

What Type of Active Learning Strategies do you think might work for your class based on what you learned?
Do you already use active learning in your class, and if so, what is your experience?
Please share HERE

into Module 4 or move forward to complete Module 5

Module 4B: Test Active Learning with Peers
Module 4C: Test Active Learning with Your Class

Module 4A: Intro to Active Learning | Module 4B: Test Active Learning with Peers | Module 4C: Test Active Learning with Your Class