Active Learning in Today's Society

 What is Active Learning?

Active learning is any activity that has the students engage course material through activities like discussions, problem solving and more. This is more of a non - traditional model of instruction where the students will engage in small or large group centered activities, but also some reflecting.

Example of Active Learning

The post I chose to read was QR Code Mysteries by Professor Zumpano. In this activity, the students took iPads and scanned QR codes around the room. When they scanned the QR codes, the students found the missing words to a famous speech. After that the students found out how to create their own QR codes. Their final activity was to make their own QR codes with mystery missing parts of their own speech. The students could then interact with each other and look at their peers work. Click this link to see my Active Learning Padlet to see my highlights of her blog.

 

Below is a picture of Sample Active Learning Activities. A class with successful active learning activities, will allow the students to practice some of these skills with the material they are learning in class. I liked this picture because it showed many different activities that teachers could use in their classroom for active learning that ranged from simple to complex. Sometimes as teachers we overthink and stress ourselves out by trying to make the best possible lesson for our students. This shows that there are ways that we can plan activities that will be beneficial to our students but still are simple activities.

 

Image Source: University of Minnesota Teaching Resources

 

 

 

In My Own Classroom

In physical education, you could argue that we are always using active learning. Being at this stage in middle school, the students finally feel that freedom of testing the water. They need to be more independent now, responsible for their belongings and efficient when completing tasks and homework. These are all skills that they will continue to use and grow with as they get older.The students are constantly moving, using new equipment every day and learning new techniques but I believe it can be so much more than that. Going forward anytime I plan for my lessons and units I will be keeping active learning in mind. Some of the activities I can use in my classroom can be used beyond their years at the middle school. Having the student be able to understand how they can use the activities outside of school and maybe for the rest of their lives, the students might be willing to engage more. Trying to incorporate something small and new will allow my students to think a little bit more. This will help the students be able to collaborate and work well with others, switching groups and partners. These activities will allow my students to want to learn more in class and continue to grow. 

 

 

Work Cited:

“Active Learning Center For Education.” Active Learning | Center for Educational Innovation, University of Minnesota, cei.umn.edu/teaching-resources/active-learning. Accessed 21 Sept. 2023.