Active Learning will excite your class!
I have been teaching for over 30 years. I have always used active learning by changing activities. It was great to read that someone has described what I have been implementing for so long. Now I have jargon to go along with the actions. I can assure anyone not sure whether to use active learning with their adults learners that class will never be the same. As an instructor you will not want to return to lecturing. Students will be more engaged and excited about class. Try it once you will enjoy the results.
I agree, I feel that once students learn in that matter, it helps them keep their focus.
Hi Thadeus,
It is okay to use the same activities from year to year as long as they reinforce the learning objectives.
Patricia Scales
I completely agree, and after you have completed the same activities for years you are able to better refine them and develop them as you go. Some of my activities are just shadows of their formere selves and would be unrecognizable just a year ago, but their evolution has lead to better education and enjoyment for the students.
Hi Steven,
Designer are very exploratory, and I can fully understand how they can get off track easily. You have to let them know when you an introduce a concept they must not get a head of you.
Patricia Scales
Hi Radha,
I agree! Students love hands-on activities, and they would rather do than to listen.
Patricia Scales
With being a teacher for web and graphic design, i find it crucial to constantly use active learning teaching methods to get across the principle or technique being taught. The problem is, sometimes since designers are such "free spirits" is keeping them on task.
From experience I think students are focused when they are in an active learning environment especially adult students.they want to be doers and thinkers more than just listeners
They guided lecture technique discussed in the course interested me. Does anyone do this or have any suggestions on implementing this technique?
Hi Pietro,
The steering has to be left up to the instructor,otherwise the environment will become very chaotic. Students will take control, if the instructor does not take control.
Patricia Scales
I completely agree, in a way the class moves on it own, all we have to do as educators is steer.
Hi Wayne,
Nicely stated! Let's have fun while learning; get students involved actively.
Patricia Scales
Hi Dewayne,
I love using a combination of lecturing and doing. Students look forward to both because they know from the lecture they will eventually be doing.
Patricia Scales
The concept of active learning is not new. Chickering and Gamson (1987) presented active learning as one of the Seven Principles of Good Practice for effective teaching. This was developed from the constructivist-based principle.
As an instructor, planning and implementing active learning activities can take additional time but the learning outcomes are well worth the time spent. We must keep active learning activities in mind as we are planning our classes. It is so easy to revert to old fashion lectures.
I have incorporated both active learning and pure lecture techniques within the classroom setting. My students tend to enjoy them both!
Hi Cynthia,
They are comfortable with you, and they know you are knowledgeable, therefore they are willing to jump right in because they know you are their safety net.
Patricia Scales
As a Chef instructor I find the students are more engaged when they assist me with demos. The class also does better when they do things at the same time as me. They pick up quicker and enjoy having a pace set.
Hi Jeff,
Even an old dog can learn new tricks. Try some of these innovative practices, and you will love them. I do not care how effective of an instructor we are, we can always become better.
Patricia Scales
I have been a teacher for several years and some of the ideas in the course i have never tried. I am excited to try some active learning techniques from this course. I have done deealer trainig, pulpit teachimg and found it taxing. I will also try some of these techniques on more advanced learners in both those settings.
Hi Joseph,
Active learning makes learning really stick, a lot of students learn by doing.
Patricia Scales
