5.1 What is active learning?[EN]SM2

WHAT IS ACTIVE LEARNING?

Definition

The term "active learning" was coined in the 1980s by Revans (1983). It is defined as a dynamic learning methodology that exchanges knowledge and its diffusion among community members to solve real problems. It is sometimes referred to as action learning.

From its first appearance, the concept has evolved in the following ways:

Evolution of the concept of active learning

Vos, H. & de Graaff, E. (2004)

Active learning is a process where students engage actively as participants. This approach demands significant physical and mental effort and is supported by an educational environment that fosters the development of students' cognitive and metacognitive skills.

Stark, S. (2006)

Freeman, S., Eddy, S., McDonough, M., Smith, M., Okoroafor, N., Jordt, H., Wenderoth, M. P. (2014)

Used when there is a need to find solutions to real problems.

Canu, M. Duque, M. & de Hosson, C (2016)

As opposed to an expository class, active learning integrates a wide and diverse range of student-centered activities.

An instructional method that involve students in their learning process and allows them to build knowledge.

A pedagogical method that encourages and engages students to actively participate in learning.

Ito, H. (2017)

Prince, M. (2004)

An instructional method that engages students in the learning process.

Bonwell, C. & Eison, E. (1991)

Active learning involves students taking actions and reflecting on what they are doing. For its development, the subjects are expected to go from simpler tasks to more complex tasks.

Author

Definition/Implications

WHAT IS ACTIVE LEARNING?

In this video, we summarize the six key points of active learning, focusing on the experience and what it should provoke in the recipients.

To summarize, active learning is an approach of how "to learn by interacting with others, mobilizing personal resources as well as defined and complex knowledge, under contextualized and challenging conditions" (Jerez et al., 2017). This requires:

Design the objectives and activities of the classes, that is, what the teacher must do to achieve these principles.

Learning actions that focus on what the student must do to learn.

Evaluation activities, that is, the effects and results of learning.

Carry out actions that impact student learning.

Making small changes to generate big impact

Any activity or methodology that meets these six criteria described follows this approach.