Active Learning
What is Active Learning?
Active learning is an approach to instruction (in any modality) that taps into the power of engagement and intentionally asks learners to engage in the learning process to enhance learner participation, critical thinking, and knowledge retention. Research consistently shows that active learning leads to better learner outcomes, including improved critical thinking skills, deeper understanding of course content, and higher retention rates. When learners actively process and apply concepts rather than simply listening to lectures, they are more likely to remember and understand the material.
Perhaps more importantly, active learning helps create an inclusive and dynamic classroom environment where students feel connected to the material, their peers, and you as the instructor. Whether you are teaching a small or large course, incorporating even simple active learning strategies can make a significant difference in student engagement and learning outcomes.
Getting Started
Shifting to active learning strategies does not have to be overwhelming. It is not necessary to transform your entire course at once - small changes can have a meaningful impact on learning. Below are two key resources to help you:
Implementation Guide
Active Learning Cheat Sheet [PDF]
Examples and activity ideas are helpful; however knowing how to effectively implement is a key to success. A practical guide from Vanderbilt University's Center for Teaching fills this gap by walking through 10 essential steps for implementing active learning in your courses - from creating the right environment to planning the logistics.
Activity Ideas
Explore the below curated collection of active learning strategies to find those that match your teaching preferences and course content.
- Active Learning: What are techniques to use? - This webpage resource by Vanderbilt University Center for Teaching organizes active
learning ideas in four groups:
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- Brief, easy supplements for lectures
- Activities to replace some lecture
- Discussion techniques
- Other approaches
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- Classroom Assessment/Activities Techniques (CATs): A Guide for Faculty and Teaching
Assistants [DOCX] - This document is an open educational resource (OER) developed by the University
of Minnesota that explains and provides examples of how in-class assessment can enhance
teaching and learning.
- Online Instructional Activities Index - This webpage resource by the University of Illinois Springfield (UIS) describes
45 different active learning activities for online courses.
- Active Learning in Remote, Virtual Hybrid, Online, and Physically Distanced Classrooms - This webpage by Colorado School of Mines was published during the 2020 pandemic;
however, the strategies remain relevant post pandemic. Twenty-two active learning
ideas are organized in the three goal groups below. Each activity provides adaptations
for synchronous, asynchronous, and face-to-face course modalities.
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- Engagement
- Monitor and Assess Understanding
- Feedback and Community Building
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References
Boston University Center for Teaching and Learning. (n.d.-a). Active Learning. https://www.bu.edu/ctl/ctl_resource/active-learning-teaching-guide/
University of Wisconsin Madison. (n.d.). Active Learning. https://teach.interpro.wisc.edu/active-learning/
The written information and resources are developed or curated by the
Faculty Development and Innovation Center
Contact the FDIC:
Phone Number: (217) 581-7051
Email: fdic@eiu.edu
Website: eiu.edu/fdic
The FDIC can be contacted for instructional design related questions or to schedule a consultation appointment. The FDIC staff can recommend instructional design strategies for your online, hybrid, and face-to-face courses.
Last updated: December 6, 2024