Written by Nethra Singhi
There has always been a lot of discussion about learning processes and the limitations of traditional lecture formats in incorporating different learning styles and holding a student’s attention, especially now, in online learning.
Hence, many schools are trying to incorporate active learning into their teaching methods. Let’s explore what that means and its impact.
What is Active Learning?
Active learning is a teaching method that focuses on learner participation in the learning process rather than solely relying on the teacher. In other words, the students actively learn instead of taking in information passively.
It is based on the Constructivist theory, which states that “learning is a process of making meaning”; i.e. learners build on their existing knowledge to delve deeper into any subject.
How does Active Learning benefit learners?
Many studies have found that in students of all classes, those who are exposed to active learning perform better in evaluation than those who have undergone conventional learning through lectures.
This is because students can draw from their understanding of the subject rather than just recalling knowledge. Since they participate in learning activities, they have first-hand experience drawing conclusions, enabling them to apply their knowledge, improving their understanding of the subject, and problem-solving and analytical skills.
Active learning engages children whose attention span is limited by involving them in hands-on activities in preschool. Even though they can’t articulate it yet, using hands and moving during learning helps them actualise a concept. For instance, using blocks to form shapes helps them learn the shapes even if they can’t name them yet. It helps them visualise spaces in figures and internalise geometric concepts. Learning by doing also helps engage different neural networks vital for problem-solving. A study has found that “Doing gesture promotes learning a mental transformation task better than seeing gesture for preschoolers.”
In higher education, active learning helps students take charge of their education, allowing them to exercise self-discipline and self-regulation. It also helps them explore learning styles best suited to them by offering different activities that help them understand a subject in different ways. It also helps students stay focused on the material by encouraging enthusiasm and class participation.
Since this method is not about the content but the learning approach and the process of absorbing the content, it helps the students form their approach towards understanding, visualising and grasping concepts that they can apply even later in life after school and college. It helps them become “lifelong learners”, as described in the Cambridge Guide to active learning.
Concerns about Active Learning
The primary concern most people have about active learning is that it may diminish the role of the teacher. However, this is an unfounded concern since this teaching method actively requires teachers to devise, conduct and oversee learning activities and guide students throughout the process. Moreover, not all concepts can be taught via actions and are best taught via lectures.
The other, more valid concern is that devising activities will increase the instructors’ workload. But there are a lot of frameworks and activities available from reputed schools and colleges. Moreover, the school can provide resources to help ease the burden on teachers.
How can we incorporate Active Learning in the classroom?
The most vital thing to keep in mind while incorporating activities in teaching is to keep the students at the centre of the process. Often, instructors tend to get lost in the specifics of an activity rather than evaluating what concepts it’s helping students understand. Cambridge and Harvard have complete guides to active learning available on their website, as do many other reputed schools and colleges.
Agastya also has multiple tools available for teachers to help them get started with our active learning philosophy, the ‘Aah, Aha, Ha-Ha’ method. The Acharya Initiative, our teacher training program, provides kits for the same. The ActiLearn book also incorporates activities consistent with the NCERT and NPT syllabus and the National Education Policy 2020.
Overall, active learning is beneficial in education and should be incorporated wherever possible. It is more effective than rote learning and provides a better educational experience. This is needed now more than ever, where merely holding lectures in an online environment is not enough to keep a child’s attention or even help them grasp the subject matter.
