Kimberly Tomeny
Active learning transforms courses into dynamic spaces where students engage deeply with the material. Fostering active engagement helps students retain knowledge, think critically and apply concepts. Here are five versatile strategies from the K. Patricia Cross Academy to promote active learning and boost student participation:
- Think-Pair-Share: This strategy encourages students to think critically, discuss their thoughts with a partner and then share insights with the class. It promotes equal participation and allows all students to contribute, making it an ideal strategy for small and large classes. It’s a great way to check for understanding or to start discussions on complex topics.
- Jigsaw: In a jigsaw activity, students are divided into groups where each group is responsible for learning one segment of the material. They then teach it to their peers. This method ensures that students not only master their portion of the material but also learn to collaborate and communicate with their peers. Jigsaws are particularly useful for breaking down complex topics into manageable parts.
- Case Studies: Case studies bring real-world problems into the classroom, allowing students to apply course concepts to practical scenarios. By working through case studies, students develop critical thinking and problem-solving skills. This strategy works well in a variety of fields such as business, health care and the social sciences. Group work on case studies fosters collaboration and real-world application of theoretical knowledge.
- Guided Notes: Guided notes provide students with a structured outline of your lecture, encouraging them to actively fill in key points during the presentation. This method helps students stay engaged and focused on essential content. It also promotes better note-taking skills and makes reviews easier. Guided notes are especially useful in content-heavy courses where students might struggle to capture everything during the lecture.
- Quick Write: Quick write is an effective way to encourage students to reflect on what they’ve just learned. After a lesson or discussion, ask students to spend a few minutes writing down their thoughts or summarizing key points. This promotes deeper reflection and helps you gauge students’ understanding. It’s a low-stakes activity that can be adapted for a wide variety of classes, helping students solidify their learning in real-time.
Experiment with these strategies to foster active learning in your classroom. No matter the discipline or class size, implementation of active learning strategies can transform how students learn and retain information. For more detailed information on how to integrate these active learning techniques into your class, please visit kpcrossacademy.ua.edu.