Active Learning FTW!

I had heard of active listening before, but active learning was not a familiar term. However, as I explored the concept this week, I realized active learning is something I engage in all of the time (even if I didn't know it!).

What is Active Learning?

Active learning is a method of teaching that engages students in learning that goes beyond lectures and note-taking. It creates an opportunity for deeper, enriched learning as students are more involved in the learning process. It also allows students to provide feedback to instructors in a more informal way. Some examples of active learning techniques are:

• brainstorming
• one-minute paper
• think-pair share
• in-class demonstrations 

A Year in Six Words

An activity done at Coonley Elementary School had students ranging from grade 1 to grade 7 write 6 words to answer a prompt. Prompts revolved around talking about themselves, their school year, or advice they would give to others. The "memoirs" were then shared on Coonley's Twitter account. I made a Google Jamboard (as seen below) to help break down this activity to discover what active listening techniques were implemented.

Author's Image

I really love this activity! It challenged the students to think creatively. The prompts were open-ended, allowing students to find their own voice and be independent thinkers. Additionally, sharing the memoirs on Twitter could lead to discussion amongst peers, cultivating further learning. I do wonder if the students had a time frame for coming up with their 6 word memoirs. If they did, it would turn this activity into something similar to the one-minute paper exercise, an active learning technique. A suggestion I had would be that students have the opportunity to collaborate with one another and make their memoir together. This would allow for peer-bonding, and possibly help students be more engaged.    

Educators and Active Learning

Teachers and librarians should definitely include active learning techniques when creating lessons and programming. Studies show that active learning has a positive effect on students resulting in higher grades. This doesn't mean they have to get rid of lecture format completely. Instead, they can insert active learning strategies into the lesson. It gives students the opportunity to reflect on what they just heard, and then define it themselves and apply it.   

Active Learning in the Library

Active learning is something I have always done in my library programs. Whenever there is a large group of new participants or a camp visit, I always do an icebreaker to make help make them feel comfortable and get them engaged in the program. Some ice breakers include movement activities, while others involved open-ended questions. I find that after ice breakers, children are more likely to participate in the rest of the program.

In my science programs, I typically start with a "lecture" explaining the chosen science topics. For example, one month the topic was tornados; therefore, I did a presentation on tornados and building structures. After I presented, children broke into groups for five minutes to brainstorm on building a structure that could survive a tornado. Then, we all came together as a group to share their ideas. Finally, children were given the option of working independently or in groups to build structures out of materials that could withstand the power of a household fan (their own personal tornado). This program included active learning techniques of brainstorming, group work, and hands-on demonstrations. The learning was experimental and engaging. Weeks later, I had a participant come up to me and ask if we could build tornado buildings again. Not only did they remember the program, but they told me they got books to read about tornados. I knew then that the program was a complete success! Going forward, I am going to continue to implement active learning in my programming.