Active LearningActive Learningandand

Modern Modern LanguagesLanguages

Suzanne MilneSuzanne MilneAngus CouncilAngus Council

Educational Development ServiceEducational Development ServiceNovember 2009November 2009

Ancient Chinese ProverbAncient Chinese Proverb

I hear…………..I forgetI see…………….I rememberI do……………..I understand

What is Active Learning?What is Active Learning?“Learning is not a spectator sport. Students

do not learn much just sitting in classes listening to teachers, memorising pre-packaged assignments, and spitting out answers. They must talk about what they are learning, write reflectively about it, relate it to past experiences and apply it to their daily lives. They must make what they learn part of themselves.”

(Chickering & Gamson, 1987)

How do we define Active How do we define Active Learning?Learning?

Any strategy “that involves students in doing things and thinking about the things they are doing.” (Bonwell & Eison, 1991)

This derives from two basic assumptions:• That learning is by nature an active

endeavour• That different people learn in different

ways

What do we mean by Active Learning?What do we mean by Active Learning?

Active

Learning:

Key Ideas

Teachers spend time actively teaching.

Young people are involved in hands-on learning.

Young people take risks and understand they learn from their mistakes.

Contexts for learning are challenging and enjoyable.

Teachers present material actively in a structured way without over reliance on text books or worksheets

Young people actively participate through listening, thinking and reflecting

Teachers’ explanations are clear and demonstrate links with previous learning.

According to Edgar Dale’s “Cone of Learning”According to Edgar Dale’s “Cone of Learning”

After 2 weekswe tend to remember….. Reading 10% of what we read

Hearing Words 20% of what we hear

Looking at pictures30% of what we see

Movies/Videos/Exhibits

Demonstrations

Seeing it done on location50% of what we see and hear

Passive

Active

Participating in a discussion

Giving a talk70% of what we say

Doing a dramatic presentation

Simulating the real experience

Doing the real thing

90% of what we say and do

The Active TeachingThe Active TeachingContinuumContinuum

INSTRUCTOR:

TEACHER IS IN CONTROL

CONTROL IS SHARED BETWEEN TEACHER AND LEARNER

FACILITATOR:

LEARNER IS IN CONTROL

Most teachers move back and forth along this continuum as the learning needs of pupils demand.

Is teacher talk effective?Is teacher talk effective?ADVANTAGES DISADVANTAGES

Convenient for delivering explanations

The pupil is not required to form an understanding

Content can be tailored to the needs of a class

No feedback on whether learning has taken place

It can be inspiring Retention is low

Little preparation is required The teacher must adopt the same pace for the whole class

A quick method of presenting material

Material may be delivered too quickly

More personal than written communication

It can be boring

No active involvement of pupils

It assumes consenting students

Conclusion:

Pupils will only get good at something – by doing it!