The benefits of active learning

In order to fully internalise your learning, you must do extra activities. Active learning is going a step further than just taking in facts and figures. It is asking yourself why this figure is important, and is this fact even true.

By coming away from a lecture and researching the information you’ve been given further, you are helping yourself understand better. This is a way of internalising information, enabling you to retain it for longer. From personal experience, I have found that researching subjects further after a class has definitely helped me to understand things better. I get a feeling of fulfilment after doing so, and feel I have been productive. So, not only does active learning internalise information, but it gives you a sense of achievement and accomplishment.

Active learning also allows you to develop the ability to think critically. Whilst you are busy researching a topic, you should be constantly questioning things in your head.

The benefits of co-operative learning

Team work and working collaboratively can be really beneficial whilst studying. When you work in a group you are expected to contribute your ideas and opinions in order to develop the discussion. Whilst you do this, you are growing more confident by voicing your opinions. Working co-operatively is a vital life skill, so by using it whilst studying it is essentially setting you up for future life experiences.

Whilst everybody is delivering their thoughts and opinions to the discussion, you should take notes on this. This way, you can go back to them, add more notes and use them for future reference. You could argue against their point, or provide evidence to back the point up.

Each individual brings something different to the table, which we can add to our general knowledge of the topic. This widens our view of the subject area.

I feel that a really important of factor of working co-operatively is the instant help that is available. Advice should be available to you if you need it. If other group members are being co-operative, they should be more than willing to help you if you’re stuck.