Active Learning Classroom

Active learning is generally defined as any instructional method that engages students in the learning process. Active learning requires students to do meaningful learning activities and think about what they are doing. This can include traditional activities such as homework, in practice, active learning refers to activities that are introduced into the classroom. The core elements of active learning are student activity and engagement in the learning process. Active learning is often contrasted to the traditional lecture where students passively receive information from the instructor.

Traditional structure methods have repeatedly been found inferior to instruction that involves active learning, in which students solve problems, answer questions, formulate questions of their own, discuss, explain, debate, or brainstorm during class.

Example “active” activities include: class discussion, small group discussion, debate, posing questions to the class, think-pair-share activities, short written exercises and polling the class (Bonwell and Eison, 1991).

What are the benefits of an Active Learning classroom?

Active Learning classrooms promote a collaborative atmosphere and hence the children are able to develop collaborative skills. Students are also more engaged in the learning experience since they are responsible for their learning and hence they are more likely to retain the information they learnt. 

Active learning encourages critical thinking as they are able to build an argument and learn how to discuss together as a group. Moreover active learning encourages learners to be more creative in their work and it encourages them to gain skills in order to tackle problem solving.