Generally, college courses emphasize teaching and learning by focusing on knowledge and comprehension; this most often places students in a passive role regarding their learning. Active learning strives to build on the analysis, synthesis, and evaluation levels of learning. Less emphasis is placed on information transmission and greater importance is placed on developing skills, attitudes, and values. Technology offers greater flexibility and options to engage students in the learning process; students assume responsibility for acquiring the knowledge necessary to respond creatively, evaluate outcomes, and complete assignments.
Research has shown that Active Learning activities keep students focused, which in turn will help them learn and retain longer than when the same content is presented in other instructional formats. Cooperative activities help students understand content better because they are more actively engaged when they are working or discussing course content together. Brookfield and Preskill (2005) reported that incorporating small group activities into their classes created much greater conceptual understanding, more complex critical-thinking skills, better class attendance, and greater confidence. This session will discuss the elements of active learning and offer examples of how technology can encourage more engagement in online, face-to-face and blended classes.
Brookfield & Preskill (2005). Discussion as a way of teaching: Tools and techniques for democratic classrooms (2nd ed.). San Francisco, CA: Jossey-Bass.
