Active Learning Strategies

What is considered an Active Learning Strategy?

An active learning strategy is any type of activity during class (face-to-face, online, or outside of class) that engages learners in deep thought about the subject matter in your course. Rather than students passively “receiving” course content solely from live or recorded lectures, active learning requires students to become active participants in their learning process. This can mean students are …

• clustered in small groups to discuss a course topic,
• reflecting individually at the end of each class session about what they have learned and what questions they still have,
• working through an application problem with a partner before presenting to the larger class, or
• participating in class, group, or team discussion boards.

There are many common active learning strategies (e.g. Think/Pair/Share, Jigsaw, Muddiest Point) that can easily be adapted and implemented in your courses. Below are links to various websites to help you discover different kinds of active learning strategies to address particular pedagogical needs in your class. 

Resources for Implementing Active Learning Strategies

Purdue resources

• Innovative Learning’s website includes many resources for engaging students in-person and online, and especially within Protect Purdue protocols. Examples include the Purdue Repository for Online Teaching and Learning (PORTaL) webpage and the Teaching and Learning resources webpage that includes details on IMPACT X Access.

K.P. Cross Academy Downloadable Classroom Strategies

• Discover a wide range of classroom strategies to get your students actively engaged in your course. K.P. Cross Academy includes downloadable how-tos and informational videos for select strategies, as well as specific strategies for teaching during a pandemic.

Active Learning in Online Teaching from Cornell University

• Explore strategies for bringing active learning into the online classroom with a particular emphasis on offering students practice with feedback, peer learning, and clear structure.

Active Learning Strategies from Michigan State University

• Browse for active learning strategies to incorporate for individual work time, group work, pair activities, and more.

Group and Team-based learning strategies from the University of Connecticut

• Consider the core elements of active learning and how they align with your course content and structure. Find specific strategies to try out in your classroom.

Teaching in an Active Learning Classroom from the University of Minnesota

• Explore resources for teaching effectively in an active learning classroom.

 For more information, please email activelearning@purdue.edu.