Active learning is defined as “a process whereby students engage in activities, such as reading, writing, discussion, or problem solving that promote analysis, synthesis, and evaluation of class content.”
As a student at University, active learning is something I need to become more aware of. I always write notes in lectures and tutorials, which is a form of active learning. when i get home I rewrite my notes so they go in better. Another way I use active learning is by writing questions I need to ask myself before I read a book, essay or article. I leave gaps and fill in these questions as I read as a form of note taking, then I can refer back to my note during my writing. I have formed peer groups and we regularly meet up to discuss the lectures/ tutorials we have attended and also what work is coming up. We actively help and encourage each other by giving each other our opinions and supporting each others work. Active learning is not just something I need to think about though during my time at university, I need to think about it when I become a teacher too.
Active learning can develop through children’s play, some of these are called spontaneous play, planned play and purposeful play. Play is one of the most valuable things a child can learn from. Fredrick Frobel (1782-1852) was a German teacher and felt that play is the most important chapter in a child’s development. Play materials were the basis of Frobel’s education system and they included blocks, pets and finger plays. From this Frobel developed the first educational toys which he first named as play materials and they are still used today in assisting active learning.
As a teacher we should be spotting children’s active learning and react on it. In early years settings active learning is encouraged and having worked in a nursery for a year I found active learning the best way to teach young nursery age children. By using active learning in the nursery I was linking it in with the Scottish Government’s Curriculum for Excellence four capacities by rewarding them for using active play. Certificates etc, made them become confident individuals. We also encouraged parents to join in with active play by spotting thing the children did at home and writing them a “star moment” for us to put on the wall. Star moments encouraged the children to use active learning more.
