Active learning is an approach to instruction that involves actively engaging students with the course material through discussions, problem solving, case studies, role plays and other methods. Active learning approaches place a greater degree of responsibility on the learner than passive approaches such as lectures, but instructor guidance is still crucial in the active learning classroom. Active learning activities may range in length from a couple of minutes to whole class sessions or may take place over multiple class sessions.
Active learning activities:
- help promote higher order thinking skills such as application of knowledge, analysis and synthesis,
- engage students in deep rather than surface learning, and
- enable student to apply and transfer knowledge better.
SOURCE: https://www.queensu.ca/teachingandlearning/modules/home.html
