Active Learning

Active Learning

Constructive Learning Pedagogy- “Learning by doing”

By: Christina Focacci               

What is it?                                      

Active learning belongs to the Constructivism Theory which involves “learning by doing”. The students are working with each other, perhaps by conducting experiments, rather than reading a book or listening to a lecture. This type of learning is typically student-centered and has the students engaging in an activity by discussing, sharing, and asking questions. This is not to say that the teacher does not play an active role, the teacher is there to introduce and guide the lesson.

The Family Tree

Active learning is one of the four key principles which belong to the Constructivist Learning Theory. The Constructivist Learning Theory is a theory or set of theories about learning which states that people learn by constructing their own understanding and knowledge of the world through experience and reflecting upon that experience (Harasim, 2012, p.12).  Constructivism is one of the three learning theories, behaviorism and cognitivism being the other two.

 There are two different perspectives associated with constructivism and each perspective is linked to a theorist:

·        cognitive constructivism – Jean Piaget

·        social constructivism – Lev Semyonovich Vygotsky

 Active learning connects more with the perspective of Vygotsky’s “social constructivism”. Vygotsky emphasized the importance of social interaction which helps children build new concepts by interacting with others.

Contrary to popular belief, the idea of active learning is not a new concept. In fact, active learning dates back to the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries. John Dewey recognized the importance of experiential learning in 1915, stating, “No book or map is a substitute for personal experience; they cannot take the place of the actual journey” (Dewey, Schools of To-morrow 1915: 74).

Active Learning Classroom Design

Setting up an Active Learning classroom can be easy. The main idea of an active learning classroom is to facilitate student-centered active learning spaces. Therefore grouping desks together or using round tables instead of putting desks in rows is a great way to facilitate active learning.

Here is an elementary classroom that is set up for active learning:

Notice the round tables being used for student workspace, a large rug with flexible seating for the classroom library, and a kidney table for teacher-lead small group learning.

Incorporating Active Learning in the Classroom

•     Think – Pair – Share & Write – Pair – Share: students formulate an answer on their own, pair up with a partner and then discuss their findings with the rest of the class
• 
  
•     Concept Mapping: otherwise known as “brain storming” or “webbing”, students write down important points of a reading or lecture in a map form
• 
  
•          Cooperative Group Work: students work in a group to answer questions or discuss lesson

• Student-Centered Teaching: the  student is the “expert” on a topic and then “teaches” the rest of the group

•  Discussions/Reflections: students discuss or reflect on what they know or what questions still need to be answered

• Demonstrations/Presentations: groups demonstrate or present a lesson, such as a power points, experiments, skits, etc.

Related Links

Active Learning Video

Steps on How to Teach in an Active Learning Classroom

Active Learning Classroom Article

Promoting Active Learning

Resources

Active Learning. [Online article]. Retrieved on August 12, 2016 from                                               http://www.duq.edu/about/centers-and-institutes/center-for-teaching- excellence/teaching-and-learning/active-learning

Harasim, L. (2012). Learning Theory and Online Technology. Routledge: New York, NY.

Promoting Active Learning. [Online article]. Retrieved on August 12, 2016 from https://teachingcommons.stanford.edu/resources/learning-resources/promoting- active-learning