Active Learning
I believe active learning is an effective way of instructing and educating.
Hi Douglas,
You can't make students do anything. You can only encourage/motivate. For some students you simply have to deduct points or give zeros and keep moving forward. Some students are not phased by anything. This tactic will get more to participate though. You want 100% participation, but sometimes it is just not going to happen. Some students really don't care.
Patricia Scales
I too believe that active learning is very effective, but the challenge I face is getting students to become involved. Not every class has this problem, but I see it more and more often. Taking points away doesn't always work, and is sometimes frowned upon. I try to impress upon students how much their education costs, and their education is their resposibility until they ask questions and become involved. More and more it seems to fall on deaf ears. Any suggestions?
Hi Peter,
I have learned that when students take small increments, they have a better understanding of the entire assignment/project.
Patricia Scales
They have to understand the problem or situation, break it into its parts, get an understanding of the significance of each part and the implications of making changes.
Hi David,
No one likes the "Charlie Brown Effect" lets keep these students engaged by making learning exciting.
Patricia Scales
Ed,
yes, we really have to watch for the "Charlie Brown effect" (blah, bla, blah, bla, blah) while we're lecturing. Continually thinking "active learning" surely helps
Hi Anis,
Absolutely, never do an active learning assignment just for the sake of it. The active learning assignment should be purposeful and meaningful.
Patricia Scales
Things that we need to consider are these the right tools? Are they organized and presented in a way that is consistent with the pedagogy we seek to implement?
Hi Ken,
Most students really love active learning. For the most part, we all love to be kept busy, and especially doing something that is going to help us in our career.
Patricia Scales
I agree that active learning is an excellent tool to teach our ever changing student basis. Each student learns with different methods, this is another tool.
Hi Timothy,
We can certainly tell from hands-on activities whether our students are grasping the concepts.
Patricia Scales
Hi Keri,
I agree! As instructors we should always look for new ways to add flavor to our classes, sometimes it is good to come out of our comfort zone.
Patricia Scales
i also find that while having hands on the instructor gets a better feel for how the students will learn and this aids the instructor to be able to have the students achive the objectives for the class.
I couldn't agree more with this statement. Active Learning keeps the instructor on their toes. It assists us in staying current on topics and trends so that we may be better prepared/informed to address our students’ questions, concerns, misconceptions and ideas. As seasoned instructors, often times we become too comfortable and/or complacent in our roles due to repetition.
Hi Albert,
I concur! Most students will grasp the concept if they can do it. Hands-on is important for understanding and retaining information.
Patricia Scales
lecturing with out the hands on activity makes it very difficult for many students to fully understand the concepts being taught.
Hi Jeff,
Hands-on learning make for a very interesting class combined with traditional lecturing. Students enjoy applying what they have been taught.
Patricia Scales
Hi Edward,
Students really enjoy being in on a good discussion as the discussion applies to the lesson. Students learn a lot from each other based on things discussed.
Patricia Scales
I like to combine a more traditional lecture with a lot of active hands on learning, especially when covering the same material. It gives me a chance to go over the material twice from two different perspectives for the student.
