Active learning techniques may give the sense of “loss of control” regarding instructor/student relationship or colleagues may criticize these non-traditional approaches. Instructors must let go of dogmatic methods and ideas that could potentially stagnate student comprehension and afford the learner the ability to acquire knowledge in a manner that is not like that of the instructor. Implementing these strategies moving forward - will create a positive educational environment, promote stability, and increase seat hours which support school retention.
I intend to spend more time with break out sessions in which we pause the learning/ lecture to have students do an activity. I will try the zoom breakout rooms to do this. Have a group share their answers.
With active learning, the most the teacher can do is teach, encourage and engage students in groups.
A strategy you could use to implement active learning is a recall game. Such as asking the students, "What do you remember from the last 20 minutes of lecture?"
Active learning is imperative to student learning. Incorporating dfferent techniques to engage different learning styles is imperative to this method of teaching.
I've learned that using both reflection and writing can be very helpful to improve active learning results with students.
Teaching a different generation requires a different approach. Active learning techniques are not new techniques. The instructor's job has alway been to facilitate the learning experience. It does provide a better understaning of the concept of active learning. Active learning gives the student a sense of ownership as well.
I learned early in my on-ground, F2F classes that student-centered learning was quickly becoming a necessary tool in the classroom. Students were no longer equipped with the patience of sitting in a classroom, hearing a lecture and taking notes. I found their retention of information increased when they became engaged and participated in the lecture, the discussion of information. That was when I learned to write in methods of "student-centered learning activities into every lecture. Outcomes and attendance began to rise and students gained interest in participating in the classroom. I've used team-based learning, group questions, and individual activities to enhance the students' time in the classroom.
Active learning is needed, but I am not sure it should redefine the instructor's role. I think the instructor should at times be a mentor, coach, facillitator and at times the instructor should continue to provide instruction through lector. This is as important as it teaches listening skills and gives the student the most important info that the instructor as determined to be best.
Very informative section. I have taught in higher education at a university for over 7 years, and we had to do PPT's/ lecture format. It was only due to Covid 19 that all the instructors had to transition online. Initially it was a stressful, overwhelming transition, however now I'm much more used to it. I have given the students lecture assignments and videos to watch to engage them and help promote active-learning. They are also required to respond to a weekly discussion board prompt and respond to 2 peers in the class. This course has given me a few more ideas.
While I have used many active learning strategies in the F2F setting, I now need to figure out how to adapt those methods and try new methods in the online environment. I think this is where the ongoing course evaluation comes in. Try an active learning strategy and get feedback from the students on how it was received / was it effective?
Active learning techniques can provide with the opportunity to involve and engage students more and more and make them responsible for their own learning with the help and guidance of the instructor.
Dr. Anton Hawatmeh
Active learning is a great way to get students involved, and be accountable for their own learning.
Keeping students engaged and active can be a challenge in an online environment.
Learning does not have to be boring. Students want to active participants in their own learning.
I learned the importance for an instructor to understand that in active learning we are facilitators, students become more responsible of their learning.
The online environment can be difficult. The course content needs to "capture" the student. Traditional lecturing should be done with many intervals. In an active learning environment the responsibility for learning is put on the student.
Active learning is what online teachers should be creating for students. Yes, students are responsible for actively using the materials we provided for them online and participating in discussions. As Online instructors we are to keep providing them with comments and encouraging students as they complete their online program.
In active learning, the student takes on more responsibility for his/her own learning. This should result in the student being more engaged with the content and facilitate the learning process.
Students taking an active interest in their learning seems like a simple concept, but often I have seen them waiting to be handed information rather then taking the lead to discover. It is difficult to get those students to interact as they feel that they are there to absorb and regurgitate rather than interact and participate.
