EDU 776/LIS724 Week 4 Active Learning
Image Source: View Sonic
For this week, I read the blog post "The American Revolution…It’s Like We Were There!" I think this project is an excellent example of active learning. The teacher for this project used many types of activities to involve her students. First, the classroom was decorated with photos and posters about events and individuals from the American Revolution. Students were able to see and read these items every day in their classrooms. Second, students learned to use PicCollage and were able to add themselves into some very famous portraits. Third, through the use of AudioBoom (a podcast service), students were able to listen to various readings including the reading of the Declaration of Independence. Students not only learned about the American Revolution, but they also learned some new technology skills.
If it is at all possible, teachers should use active learning in their lessons. Active learning helps to reinforce the material to students. Active learning also keeps students excited and engaged in learning and shows that learning is fun. In addition, students learn skills such as cooperation, listening, and leadership.
After reading this blog, I realized that things I remember from high school are largely due in part to active learning. For example, I remember quite a bit from my biology class, not because I’m a field of biology, but rather because the teacher, Mrs. Forrest, had us do labs, investigations, and so forth. Also, Mrs. Forrest dressed up as Gregor Mendel to talk about genetics, and we the students could ask questions about his research. To this day, I still remember what Mendel did and his experiments with pea plants. This example shows exactly how active learning can positively impact students and can help students retain information long after the lesson.
While I am not a professional teacher, I have instructed many classes to train people to respond to disasters for the American Red Cross. These classes involve participants getting practice during the training. For example, in the disaster assessment course, participants learn how to grade disaster damage and how to fill out paperwork. In the sheltering course, participants learn how to set up a shelter to get hands-on training. The participants are then ready to do this job when the time comes.
I am looking to change careers once I complete my Master of Library and Information Science (MLIS) degree. I am hoping to work in an archive or an office of the historian for a federal agency. I can see that active learning would be just as important when dealing with adults who might be using services in these offices as it is with young students. Active learning is a way to help anyone learn and to keep them engaged in the learning process.
My Jam Board:
https://jamboard.google.com/d/1J_HkDz4ujQghmLEi85ZL04iLptNxzk20m_RjmvyN0Cc/viewer?f=0
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Activity Article:
Other Information:
www.audioboom.com
https://piccollage.com/
Hi Robin! I agree that active learning is an excellent way to engage students and help them retain information. I try to incorporate this into the math classes that I teach as well by using various graphing apps, labs, activities, and demonstrations; but I draw the line at dressing up as famous mathematicians! (It sounds like you had a wonderful biology teacher!) I think that it's important to remember that everyone learns differently, and that active learning can be a great way to accomodate those different learning styles. Thanks for sharing.
ReplyDeleteHi Robin!
ReplyDeleteI also remember biology and dissecting frogs and worms. I can't recall much else about the subject but remember the dissections. Teachers have been implementing active learning strategies, not necessarily knowing the official approach to instruction. You brought up a good point about teaching adults with active learning strategies because they can benefit as well. Training people to respond to disasters has to be a humbling experience. I enjoyed reading your post!
Isn't if funny how certain memories from our schooling stood out to us? I find it fascinating to think about those now and to be able to identify what made them 'stick.'
ReplyDelete^it
DeleteThank you Robin for your post! I, too, most remember active learning experiences in school. I wonder if the experiences were more impactful due to the socialization, movement and 'learning by doing' aspects (I personally respond well to that). One of the insightful resources this week shared the lack of attention given to lectures by students, but we continue to use talking and listening for long periods as a dominant method. Thank you for sharing and congratulations for thinking about pursuing public service!
ReplyDeleteRobin, your comment on how we can remember High School memories because of those unique learning experiences also reminded me of my great learning experiences in High School. However, it also reminded me some of my Middle School ones as well. I remember having the unique experience of reading the novel Flowers for Algernon by Daniel Keyes. After reading this novel, our teachers had us all day in the gym at school, where we had to build a maze for a mouse and after building it, see if our mouse could make it through. We had real mice for this experiment and I had forgotten about this memory until I read your post! It kind of just demonstrates the importance of making learning active and meaningful.
ReplyDeleteHi Robin! I looked at the same lesson as you and found it so interesting! As a history teacher, I plan to include it in future years as I already covered the American Revolution a couple of weeks ago. I think it is awesome that you pointed out that students were able to see themselves in the classroom each day. I think it is so important that students feel represented and seen in our spaces, and this project is an excellent way to ensure that happens! Thanks for sharing!
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