Using Active Learning in the Classroom
Ideas for Effective College Teaching | Faculty and Staff

Active learning is a powerful teaching technique. Students learn more information, retain it for longer periods of time, develop greater analytical skills, and enjoy class to a greater extent when they work collaboratively on tasks that require engagement and participation.

Despite a wealth of research regarding the effectiveness of active learning in college classrooms, these strategies are used less often than many would expect. Some instructors remain most comfortable lecturing. After all, this is how we were (probably) educated during our own educational careers. Furthermore, lecturing allows the class to move in a fairly predictable manner and permits faculty to cover critical material.

If you're not already using active learning in your teaching, one way to proceed is to try out the techniques below on a gradual basis. If you have already made the transition from "sage on the stage" to "guide on the side", then you can move at a quicker pace.

• Think-Pair-Share
• Problem Solving
• Drill Review Pairs
• Jigsaw Technique
• Structured Academic Controversies
• Writing to Learn
• Classroom Assessment Techniques

Would you like to read more about active and collaborative learning? My favorite book on the topic is Active learning: Cooperation in the college classroom, written by David Johnson, Roger Johnson, and Karl Smith (Interaction Book Company, 1991). You can also read an essay on-line at http://ctl.unc.edu/hpl5.html that delves into some more detail.