1. Alice Pethick 1st November 2007
Active Learning
Alice Pethick
1st November 2007

2. What is active learning?
Opposite of passive learning
Learner’s own involvement in the process of gaining, and in the construction of, knowledge
Involves new experiences (doing and observing)
Involves dialogue (with self and others)
Requires interaction with others
NOT necessarily ‘physical movement’, but active brain engagement with the issues

3. A model of active learning

4. Quick think Talk to your partner:
Summarise active learning in no more than 12 words

5. Examples Individual engagement with material Paired discussion work
‘Quick thinks’
Case studies
Card sorts
In-trays
Working to a brief
Design-and-make
Role play
Simulation
Games
Investigations
Individual engagement with material
Paired discussion work
Small group interactions
Large group exploratory activities

6. How does learning happen?
Learner needs to recognise what has been learned him/herself
Reviewing learning is vital
The stages of review can be summarised as: facts, feelings, findings, futures (Greenaway
Review (or debriefing) should be allocated sufficient time

7. Why does active citizenship need active learning?
Active Citizenship requires:
ability to empathise with others’ points of view
critical thinking to weigh evidence
ability to form considered opinions and communicate them
confidence and skills to engage with others to make change