Active Learning
What does Active Learning look like?
Active learning involves the implementation of "learning experiences in which the students are thinking about the subject matter" (McKeachie, 2002). These learning experiences can take the form of presentations, group work, class discussion, writing prompts, field trips, reading exercises, and more. Active learning motivates students to engage with the course material in meaningful and formative ways and apply new knowledge in hands-on situations.
For instance, if you are presenting a new concept that your students need to understand to progress successfully in your course, you might consider using your 50-minute class time in the following manner:
- Greetings/attendance/vibe check (5 minutes)
- Housekeeping (3 minutes)
- Review the day’s agenda (2 minutes)
- Introduce the concept in a brief lecture (no more than 10 minutes)
- Put students in groups and give them an activity that asks them to demonstrate what they’ve just learned from your lecture. (15 minutes)
- Ask groups to share their findings with the rest of the class and engage in a whole-class discussion about the activity and its purpose. (5 minutes)
- Open the floor for questions (5 minutes)
*When developing your lesson plans, it is good practice to plan a class session 5 minutes shorter than the time you’re allotted. That way you’ve given yourself a little wiggle room in case students need more time in their group work, if the discussion runs long, etc.
KU faculty members Caroline Bennett and Nathan Wood offer more suggestions for optimizing class time and engaging students in their Two-Minute Mentor discussion video.