Active Learning

Active learning is an approach that requires students to thoughtfully engage with the course material, their instructor, and with one another. It involves students in course-related activities, which causes them to think about what they are doing (Bonwell & Eison, 1991), thus placing a greater degree of responsibility on them as an active rather than passive learner. Active learning activities should be aimed at promoting deep learning and higher-order thinking skills (analysis, transfer, application, and synthesis) and allow students to integrate ideas of which they are already aware. Designing with active learning intention does not imply an omission of curriculum accessibility, nor for limiting flexibility and variability of instructional methods.

Western University’s Center for Teaching and Learning shares insight from Dr. Mike Atkinson. His classes are attended by a few hundred learners and Mike’s focus is to ignite learning with the use of active teaching tactics.  There are valuable nuggets of advice that transfer to online teaching and learning even though Mike’s example is a reference his in-class teaching.

If you would like to view an accessible and downloadable version of the captions from this video, please download the VTT Word document: VTT – Dr. Atkinson – Advice.

How can we be more ‘active’ in our online teaching and learning environment?

Active learning should remain an integral part of every type of classroom! The ongoing migration to online teaching and learning has prompted astute educators to try and embrace its goals more than ever. There have been tremendous efforts from practitioners and researchers alike to put together a variety of such activities that can make the learning process more meaningful and truly active. Even with all these activities, it’s critical to:

• leverage the ones that are in alignment with your course(s)
• foster creative and critical thinking to a higher level
• seek greater value from discussion forums, activities, and assignments to maintain and enhance participation, motivation, and potential learning opportunities

It’s important to seek active learning activities that are more versatile, flexible, suitable, and able to stimulate the curiosity of students. This module will enable you to address these issues through a series of strategies and suggested activities that have been researched, adapted, practiced, and recommended by successful expert online instructors.