CREATE AN ACTIVE CLASSROOM
THROUGH TECHNOLOGY
TLTC Summer SeriesMay 25, 2010
Agenda Workshop materials
http://zedeck.wordpress.com/active-learning/ What is active learning? Why use active learning? Active learning techniques and examples Active learning on campus
Jack ShannonMichael TaylorDyknow demonstration
Final ActivityBrainstorm active learning ideas Blackboard 9.1 Wiki
Opening Activity For a minute or two, think of a lecture
that has always stayed with you
Share your ideas with the class using this link: http://bit.ly/b18TvV (Shared Google Document)
Now, think of a learning experience that you had at sometime that was not a lecture, that you have always recalled.
Why has it stayed with you?
What did you learn?
What is Active Learning?
How would you define active learning?
What characterizes active learning and makes it different from inactive learning?
Active Learning… Multi-directional learning experience in
which learning occursteacher-to-studentstudent-teacherstudent-student
Active Learning… Involves students
doing thingsthinking about what
they are doingreflecting about their
experiences in some fashion (most often including writing)
Active Learning… Can occur in many forms
whole class, teams, small groups, trios, pairs, or individuals talking, writing, reading, discussing, role-playing, acting, journaling, conferring, interviewing, building, creating…
Why Use Active Learning? Research shows that…
students prefer active learning over lecture alone
students master content at levels comparable to lecturing
students master thinking and writing skills at levels higher than lecturing
student learning styles are better served by active learning vs. lecturing
A Sampling of Researchers Meyers and Jones (1993) Bonwell and Eison (1991) Chickering and Gamson (1987)
Meyers and Jones (1993) Identified elements of active learning “elements involve cognitive activities
that allow students to clarify, question, consolidate, and appropriate new knowledge”Talking and listeningReadingWritingReflecting
Bonwell and Eison (1991) Describe characteristics of active
learningFocus is on developing skillsFocus on higher order thinking (analysis,
synthesis, evaluation)Students are reading, discussing, writing
Chickering and Gamson (1987) Found that students
Must talk about and through their learningWrite about their learningBe able to and be encouraged to relate it to
previous experiencesApply it to their daily lives
References Bonwell, C., & Eison, J. (1991). Active learning:
Creating excitement in the classroom. ASHE-ERIC Higher education Report No. 1. Washington, DC: The George Washington University, School of Education and Human Development.
Chickering, A., Gamson, Z. (1987). Seven principles for good practice in undergraduate education. AAHE Bulletin 39 (7), 3-7.
Meyers, C., & Jones, T. (1993). Promoting active learning: Strategies for the college classroom. San Francisco, CA: Jossey-Bass Publishers.
How much is retained?(Work with a partner to determine which percentages match
these teaching practices)
Discussion = ? Lecturing = ? Teaching others = ? Reading = ? Practice by Doing = ? Audio-Visual = ? Demonstrations = ?
5%10%20%30%50%75%90%
Learning Retention Pyramid
More Data
Benefits of Active Learning
Students stay awake.
Students participate in
their educational experience.
Students can interact with the course material.
Students can collaborate with other
students to explore course
material.
Techniques of Active Learning Think-Pair-Share Collaborative learning groups Student-led review sessions Games Analysis or reactions to videos Student debates Student generated exam questions Research proposals or projects Analyze case studies Keeping journals/blogs
Question 1 It would be nice to know, during my
lecture, if students understood the concepts.TrueFalse
Question 2 I could use a blog or discussion board
as a quick check to see if students have understood what they have read before class.TrueFalse
Blogs, Forums, and/or Discussion Boards
Active learning continues outside the classroom.
Students read class material and work with concepts more
than taking notes.
Students interact with one another to enrich their learning experience.
Students post explanations of concepts to further
explore concepts that are presented in class
readings.
Students think about the connections between class
examples and concepts in the text.
Gives students a place to explore questions they have about
concepts and class readings.
Students can reply to postings to add a
discussion of the concepts.
Students add examples to clarify concepts in everyday terms.
Useful way for students to “correct” misunderstandings of concepts for classmates.
Blog Examples Chemistry and Physics Dickinson Blogs
Luce SemesterHomer’s IliadHistorical Method 204
SHU BlogsIntroduction to Environmental StudiesIGG Fall 2009
Blog/Forum/DB BenefitsGive faculty insight into how students are
understanding class material.
Faculty can clarify misunderstandings in the following class.
Students have to read some of the course material to be able to post.
Students have other people, other than the course instructor, from whom they can learn and question.
Students have to actively consider the conceptual meanings to be able to express them in writing.
Question 3 It would not be effective to have
separate groups be responsible for posting concepts, for specifically assigned chapters, to limit the number of blog or discussion board postings in large classes.TrueFalse
Wikis Wikis are online
spaces where students can collaborate on projects or upload their own work for class projects.
Question 4 It would be necessary for students to
meet to work on group projects that would be uploaded to the wiki.TrueFalse
Wiki Examples Higher-Ed Wikis
Nature and American ValuesBITE5389 Web 2.0 Technologies & Virtual T
eamsCariology Project
Active Learning and Technology Summary
•Students explore class concepts and apply them to real world situations
•Students can discuss class material, blog and query about class concepts in postings, and collaboratively complete class assignmentsActivities in and outside of
class create a more active learning environment for
students to master course material.
•These can be accomplished with interactive technology, among other meansActive learning can occur
through in class activities.
•Active learning outside of the class occurs through written communication technology activities
•Technology allows students to peer review classmates’ or group members’ work to more easily allow revisions before final submission of workActive learning can also occur through assigned
activities in which students interact with each other
outside of class.
Faculty Presentations Jack Shannon
Ideas and Trends wiki
Michael TaylorSouth Mountain ReforestationPolitics and Technology CoursePowerPoint Twitter Tools
Final Activity Brainstorm active learning ideas for your
classroom individually, or in groups http://setonhalltest.blackboard.com
Username: your shortnamePassword: active
