What is active learning?

In active learning approaches, both teachers and learners are actively engaged in the learning process. But what does that really mean?

To get the conversation started, work with your team (or individually) on the following interactive reader on active learning.

Notebook iconIn your notebook: Your Active Learning Experiences

What are your experiences with active learning? With action and interaction in design?

Design for learning

Think of a learning experience you have had that seemed particularly active to you. Jot down a quick (2-3 minute) reflection in your notebook on the experience. You might consider one or more of the following questions:

  • What was the setting and what were you learning?
  • What made the learning "active"? Was it experiential in some way? Collaborative? Challenging? ...?
  • Was this learning experience memorable? Meaningful? Transformative? Why or why not?

Design for UX

Think of an experience you have had (e.g., in an environment or with a product or service) that seemed particularly active or interactive to you. Jot down a quick (2-3 minute) reflection in your notebook about the experience. You might consider one or more of the following questions:

  • What was the setting and what were you doing?
  • What made the experience "active" or "interactive"? Was it experiential in some way? Collaborative? Challenging? ...?
  • From a design perspective, what made the experience memorable, meaningful, or transformative? If you were the designer, what would you have done to make it more so?

Improve this page

Previous section:
Next section: