Academic Affairs
Active Learning - What is it??
Baldrige Education Criteria for Performance Excellence, 2009-2010: The term “active learning” refers to interactive instructional techniques that engage students in such higher-order thinking tasks as analysis, synthesis, and evaluation. Students engaged in active learning might use resources beyond the faculty, such as libraries, Web sites, interviews, or focus groups, to obtain information. They may demonstrate their abilities to analyze, synthesize, and evaluate through projects, presentations, experiments, simulations, internships, practicums, independent study projects, peer teaching, role playing, or written documents. Students involved in active learning often organize their work, research information, discuss and explain ideas, observe demonstrations or phenomena, solve problems, and formulate questions of their own. Active learning is often combined with cooperative or collaborative learning in which students work interactively in teams that promote interdependence and individual accountability to accomplish a common goal. In addition, active learning may address multiple intelligences.
ACPE Standard 11, Teaching and Learning Methods, Guideline 11.2: The development of critical thinking and problem-solving skills should be supported through the application of computer and other instructional technologies, laboratory experiences, case studies, guided group discussions, and simulations and other practice-based exercises. Instructors should employ ACTIVE LEARNING STRATEGIES and encourage students to ask questions wherever possible. Where appropriate, these techniques should involve actual or simulated patients, pharmacists, and other health care professionals.
ACTIVE LEARNING is a style of teaching that requires the learner to formulate answers to questions based on acquired knowledge while continuing to search for new knowledge that may provide better, more complete answers. Active learning enhances a student's ability to think in an independent and critical manner.
Active Learning and Assessment Tips for Faculty
Student-Centered Teaching and Learning - links to articles on active and cooperative learning
Navigating the Bumpy Road to Student-Centered Instruction - student resistance to active learning
Articulating Course Aims and Objectives - effective course design
Engaging a Large Lecture Class - establish expectations and pique student interest
Helping Students Get More Out of Office Hours - making good use of one-on-one time
Teaching Oral Presentation Skills - real world preparation
Writing Good Multiple Choice Questions - based on course objectives
Example Multiple Choice Questions Using Bloom's Taxonomy - test critical thinking skills and content
Counter "Test-Wise" Strategies of Students - counter the strategies for guessing on multiple-choice exams