What is Active Learning?

Active learning is an instructional approach that actively engages learners in the learning process through meaningful activities and discussions. Rather than passively receiving information, learners participate in hands-on, collaborative, and reflective exercises designed to deepen their understanding of the material. This learner-centred approach fosters critical thinking, problem-solving, and the application of knowledge in real-world contexts.

Why Use Active Learning?

Active learning is a reliable method for enhancing learner engagement and improving learning outcomes. Learners retain information better and develop higher-order thinking skills when they actively interact with content, peers, and instructors.

Active Learning promotes:

  • Deeper understanding by encouraging learners to connect new concepts with prior knowledge.
  • Skill development by building communication, teamwork, and critical thinking skills.
  • Motivation, participation, and engagement by making learning dynamic and interactive.
  • Inclusivity by creating opportunities for all learners to contribute and by supporting diverse learning needs and preferences.

5 Steps for Implementing Active Learning

Developing and implementing active learning activities requires thoughtful planning and alignment with established learning outcomes. Here are some steps and strategies to help you get started:

  1. Focus on Learning Outcomes
    Identify the skills or knowledge you want learners to develop. Design activities that align with these goals and encourage application or analysis.
  2. Build Community and Trust
    Before diving into active learning tasks, help learners to get to know one another. When you foster a classroom culture where learners feel comfortable sharing ideas and taking risks, they will be more motivated to engage when you get to introducing active learning activities.
  3. Start Small
    Begin with simple activities to ease learners into active participation and gradually incorporate more complex strategies. Always communicate clear instructions and plan when and how you will provide supportive feedback.
  4. Incorporate a Variety of Methods
    Use diverse techniques to cater to different learning preferences, such as group discussions, role-playing, or problem-solving exercises. Remember to rotate through strategies as the course progresses to keep learners engaged and challenged. Consider incorporating educational technology tools like polling apps, virtual breakout rooms, or collaborative platforms to enhance interactivity.
  5. Assess and Reflect
    Use quick formative assessments to check-in with learners and gauge their understanding of the content. Consider seeking learner feedback on active learning strategies to refine your approaches.

Getting Started

The following list provides a variety of activities designed to enhance participation, engage students more deeply with content, and foster both critical thinking and communication skills. Review the options and choose one or more that you think would support learners in achieving lesson and course learning outcomes.

Active Learning Techniques:

  • Application Cards
    Learners write down one way they can apply what they have just learned to a real-world scenario, encouraging reflection and practical thinking.
  • Brainstorming
    Learners generate a variety of ideas related to a topic, problem, or question, fostering creativity and group collaboration.
  • Buzz Groups
    Small groups of learners discuss a specific question or topic for a short time, sharing their insights afterward with the larger class.
  • Case Studies
    Learners analyze real-life or hypothetical scenarios, applying their knowledge to identify issues, propose solutions, or evaluate outcomes.
  • Concept Map
    Learners create visual representations to connect concepts, aiding in comprehension and retention.
  • Debates
    Learners take sides on an issue, research their positions, and present arguments, fostering critical thinking and public speaking skills.
  • Dot-mocracy
    This decision-making activity asks learners to vote on ideas, solutions, or priorities by placing adhesive dots next to their preferred options on a board, chart, or list. The dots visually represent the group’s most popular choices and help to facilitate consensus in a clear and engaging way.
  • Exit Ticket/Muddiest Point
    Learners write down their understanding or identify what they found most confusing, providing feedback to instructors and promoting reflection.
  • Fishbowl
    A small group discusses a topic while others observe and analyze, switching roles to include all learners in the discussion.
  • Flipped Classroom
    Learners review materials (videos, readings) before class, allowing class time for discussions, problem-solving, and hands-on activities.
  • Gallery Walk
    Learners rotate around the room to view, discuss, or provide feedback on displayed materials or concepts.
  • Games
    Interactive games are used to engage learners, reinforce content, and develop skills in a fun, competitive environment.
  • Inquiry-Based Activities
    Learners investigate open-ended questions or problems, promoting curiosity and exploration.
  • Jigsaw
    Learners work in small groups to master different sections of a topic, then teach their section to peers, ensuring cooperative learning.
  • Line Up
    Learners physically arrange themselves based on their opinions, experiences, or knowledge, fostering discussion and diverse perspectives.
  • Minute Paper
    Learners summarize the main point of a lesson or answer a specific question in a minute, promoting quick reflection and synthesis.
  • Peer Teaching
    Learners take on an instructor role to explain a concept or lead an activity with another peer or in small groups, effectively reinforcing their understanding.
  • Post-it Parade
    Learners write ideas, questions, or responses on sticky notes and post them on a board for group discussion and categorization.
  • Problem-Based Activities
    Learners collaboratively explore real-world problems, emphasizing inquiry, critical thinking, and applied learning.
  • Quescussion
    A classroom discussion where only questions are allowed, encouraging critical thinking and curiosity.
  • Role-Playing
    Learners act out scenarios or assume roles to explore perspectives, decision-making, or historical events.
  • Sketch Notes
    Learners use drawings, diagrams, and keywords to represent key ideas visually, supporting creative and alternative methods of note-taking.
  • Snowball
    Learners begin by working individually, then pair up, and continue merging into larger groups, building ideas collaboratively.
  • Speed Networking
    Learners rapidly exchange ideas or information with multiple peers, encouraging quick thinking and broad engagement.
  • Tell Me What You Have Heard About…
    An open-ended prompt where learners share prior knowledge or perceptions about a topic, activating existing knowledge.
  • Think-Alouds
    Learners verbalize their thought process while solving a problem, enhancing understanding and collaboration.
  • Think-Pair-Share
    Learners think about a question individually, discuss their thoughts with a partner, and then share with the larger group.