Teaching strategies that facilitate active learning differ greatly from passive modes of instruction. Passive teaching strategies typically hold the instructor responsible for presenting students with all of the information that they need to know (Michel, Cater, & Varela, 2009; Smith & Cardaciotto, 2011). Active learning requires that students take an active role by engaging with the material, reflecting on what they have learned, and applying the information in different contexts and activities (Diamond, Koernig, & Iqbal, 2008; Michel et al., 2009; Niemi, 2009; Smith & Cardaciotto, 2011; Thomas, 2009). Recent research indicates that active learning may help students learn better than traditional, passive modes of instruction (Michel et al., 2009).

Strategy #1: Give Students a Problem to Solve

The Basics: Giving students a problem and asking them to develop, create, or examine a possible solution involves many active learning components. According to Deborah E. Allen, Richard S. Donham, and Stephen A. Bernhard (2011), “Problems may intentionally pose cognitive challenges by not providing all the information needed, thereby motivating a self-directed search for explanations” (p. 23). Students can be asked to solve problems on their own, in pairs, groups, or even as a class; allowing students to develop collaboration skills at very different levels. Problem-solving activities can also help students develop better research and communication (Allen et al., 2011).  *IT Solutions offers an elaboration in Teaching Strategies: Problem-based Learning and Case-based Learning

Variations on the Strategy: A wiki is a website that allows multiple users to add, modify, or delete content using rich-text editors or simplified markup language, allowing the users to co-construct papers, knowledge bases, or websites around a topic. Both blogs and Wikis can be integrated with other forms of media and even other technology tools.

Strategy #5: Create a BYOD Policy and Activities.

The Basics: ‘Bring Your Own Device’ or BYOD encourages students to bring their computers, tablets, and phones into the classroom and use them as a learning tool. For example, short individual or group activities can be integrated into lesson plans to encourage students to explore further issues surrounding a particular topic. Mobile devices, such as tablets, provide students with their own “personalized learning environment, with all the resources, tools, and other materials they need on a single device” (Johnson et. al, 2013, p. 16).

*IT Solutions offers an elaboration in Teaching Strategies: Gamification.

Variations on the Strategy: There are a number of ways to bring elements of gamification into your classroom. In fact, you may already have some of these elements integrated into your course. According to Karl M. Kapp (2012), “Instructors, trainers, and professors embed stories in the form of case studies to wrap experiences for learners, create challenges to engage learners, and set goals and provide feedback on progress while providing a safe environment for learners to practice skills. All of these are elements of gamification” (p. 13). Incorporating games or game elements into a course can help you meet your learning objectives and provide your students with a fun opportunity to learn the content. Existing online games and simulations may align with course objectives. If you cannot find an existing game that aligns with or improves a particular lesson, you can develop one that does.

Strategy #7: Activity Breaks During Lecture

The Basics: There are definitely times when a lecture is appropriate. Phillip Wankat and Clifton L. Lovell (2006) suggest that “We don’t have to completely abandon lectures to gain many of the advantages that active learning and cooperative groups offer. If lecture classes are interactive so that students are not passive for long periods of time, they can be good learning experiences” (p. 4). Be sure to choose activities that support your student learning outcomes and course objectives.

Variations on the Strategy: Many of the suggestions in this document and our other 10 Strategies documents can be used to enhance lecture-based lessons or courses. You may view our entire catalog of engagement materials in our 10 Strategies for Engaging Learners series.

The Basics: The use of brainstorming activities in the classroom can help, although considerations should be made for the duration of time spent on these and the impact of group sizes (Coskun, 2011).  You can integrate smartphones, tablet computers, and cloud-based whiteboarding tools to help facilitate sharing ideas synchronously.  Using cloud-based whiteboarding allows students the opportunity to review is that completed brainstorming documents will be available after class time.

Variations on the Strategy: In an analysis of seven major research studies, Laura H. Clayton (2006) found that “The use of concept maps was shown to enhance academic performance by enabling students to synthesize and retain complex information, thus promoting meaningful learning. concept maps have had positive effects” (p. 202). Concept maps, mind maps, and other visual diagrams “can be used in complementary ways to enhance motivation, attention, understanding and recall” (Eppler, 2006, p. 202). The use of brainstorming and visual diagrams integrates well with many of the other active learning strategies discussed.

The Basics: Some classrooms on campus are specifically designed to support collaborative work among students. Round tables and technology enhancements can make working together and sharing with peers more efficient.

Variations on the Strategy: Even if you are unable to get an Active Learning classroom, you can still integrate Active Learning into your classroom. Make the most of your classroom space! If students cannot turn around or rearrange their desks, make the most of the space by having them work with 1 or 2 people sitting next to them or form small groups around the room.

Telepresence classrooms are also available on campus. TelePresence is a high-definition, immersive video conferencing experience that allows learners and instructors to connect across hundreds of miles as if they were in the same room. Use a Telepresence classroom to connect your students with other Telepresence classrooms around the world.

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