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Introduction To Active Learning: Energizing The Classroom

(1) This document introduces active learning techniques that can be used to engage students more interactively in the classroom compared to traditional lecturing. (2) Examples of active learning techniques discussed include think-pair-share activities, role playing simulations, case studies, group quizzing, and problem-based learning. (3) The purpose of active learning is to increase student participation, engagement, retention of the material, and higher-level thinking compared to passive lecturing.

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Aridas Vasudewan Thevar
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55 views

Introduction To Active Learning: Energizing The Classroom

(1) This document introduces active learning techniques that can be used to engage students more interactively in the classroom compared to traditional lecturing. (2) Examples of active learning techniques discussed include think-pair-share activities, role playing simulations, case studies, group quizzing, and problem-based learning. (3) The purpose of active learning is to increase student participation, engagement, retention of the material, and higher-level thinking compared to passive lecturing.

Uploaded by

Aridas Vasudewan Thevar
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PPT, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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Introduction to

Active Learning
Energizing the Classroom
Brian Rybarczyk, Ph.D.
UNC Chapel Hill
Department of Biology
Objectives
• Introduce concept of active learning

• Demonstrate techniques & activities

• Incorporate active learning into your


future teaching
da Vinci and the Renaissance
Embodies essence of the
Renaissance

‘Rebirth’ of learning
Thinking outside the box
Ideas
Discovery
Experiment
Change is good
Brainstorm Activity

Write down ways that your professors


taught you

Effective methods
Ineffective methods
Brainstorm Activity II

What are some ways you learn best now


as a scientist?
What is Active Learning?
% Retained 100

active learning

50 lecture

0
10 20 30 40 50 60

Time of class (min)

From: McKeachie, Teaching tips: Strategies, research and theory for


for college and university teachers, Houghton-Mifflin (1998)
What is Active Learning?
What is Active Learning?
students solve problems, answer questions,
formulate questions of their own, discuss,
explain, debate, or brainstorm during class

Problem-
Based Learn By Doing
Learning

Active Learning

Inquiry-based
Cooperative learning
Learning
What is the purpose?
• Increase student participation
• Increase student engagement
• Increase student retention
• More student ownership in course
• Less lecturing by instructor
• More exciting classroom experience
• Higher level thinking
Improving Lectures
• Plan objectives
• Include graphics, charts, graphs, etc
• Plan what you want to annotate
• Learn students’ names
• Cue important points
• Give short activities
• Give students time to generate questions
• Have students summarize major points
Examples of Active Learning
• Dr. Robert Beichner – NCSU

– SCALE-UP – researching effectiveness of


active learning in physics and chemistry
– http://scaleup.ncsu.edu/

– Example of SCALE-UP Activity


Active Techniques
• Think-pair-share (pair-share)
• Role playing, simulations
• Muddiest point/clearest point
• Group quizzing
• Generate lists
• Cooperative learning
• Minute papers and writing assignments
• PBL and case studies
• Concept maps
Reading Primary Literature
• Provide one figure/table to each student
group

• Propose a title for the paper

• Delete abstract and have students write a


summary
Case Studies
Case Studies
Concerns & Issues

What are your concerns


about using active
learning activities &
techniques?
Suggestions
• Describe to the students what is
happening and why
• State expectations
• Incorporate assessments with activities
• Start off simple (low risk)
• Ask questions, walk around classroom, be
attentive to student questions
• Have students rely on each other
Resources

National Center for Case Study Teaching in Science (case


study collection):
http://ublib.buffalo.edu/libraries/projects/cases/case.html
Problem Based Learning (U of Delaware):
http://www.udel.edu/pbl/
MERLOT – (Multimedia Educational Resource for Learning and
Online Teaching
http://www.merlot.org

Journals of Interest:
Innovate: www.innovateonline.info/index.php
CBE Life Science Education – www.lifescied.org/
Journal of College Science Teaching – www.nsta.org
Biochemistry and Molecular Biology Education –
www.bambed.org
Brian Rybarczyk, Ph.D.
[email protected]

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