Active Learning Methodologies in ClassicsActive Learning Methodologies in ClassicsFacilitators: Louise Potter & Colm DooleyFacilitators: Louise Potter & Colm Dooley

The Learning Gap The Learning Gap ==

the difference between what the difference between what we know about effective we know about effective

learning... and what is currently learning... and what is currently happening in the classroom.happening in the classroom.

Active teaching and LearningActive teaching and Learning

• Presumes Presumes all all are doing and are doing and thinking about doing.thinking about doing.

Learning Theories• Visual/Auditory/Kinesthetic• Left Brain/Right Brain• Multiple Intelligences• Co-operative/Group Learning

• http://www.lancsngfl.ac.uk/nationalstrategy/literacy/files/TheBrainandLearning.pdf

Visual/Auditory/Kinaesthetic Learners

• Visual Learners

Prefer to see information

• Auditory Learners

Prefer to hear information

• Kinaesthetic LearnersLearn best by doing, touching, making

LEFT Brain RIGHT Brain

Language Linearity Logic Number/Maths Sequence Words of a Poem From whole to parts Phonetic reading Unrelated Facts

Forms and patterns Spatial manipulation Dimension Synthesis Images and patterns Rhythm and Music Tune of a Song From parts to Whole Imagination

LOGICAL-MATHEMATICAL

How can I bring in numbers, calculations, logic, classifications, or critical thinking skills?

LINGUISTIC

How can I use spoken or written word?

SPATIAL

How can I use visual aids, visualisation, colour, art or metaphor?

INTRAPERSONAL

How can I evoke personal feelings or memories, or give students choices?

INTERPERSONAL

How can I engage students in peer sharing or co-operative learning?

BODILY-KINAESTHETIC

How can I involve the whole body or use hands-on experiences?

Planning for Multiple

Intelligences MUSICAL

How can I bring in music or environmental sounds, or set key points in a rhythmic or melodic framework?NATURALIST

How can I draw in/evoke the world of nature?

Adapted from Howard Gardner

Soft touch…

What is active learning?

• Active learning involves students doing things and thinking about what they are doing.

• Active teaching and learning involves the use of strategies which maximise opportunities for interaction.

Attempts to avoid…

• Parroting in a vacuum

• Anonymity

• Disturbance/Misbehaviour

• Domination by the few

• Predictability

• Boredom

Attempts to…• Develop skills

• Promote metacognition

• Promote collegiality

• Promote perseverance/resilience

• Engage/Motivate

• Promote problem solving and creativity

TWO MINUTE THINK!

Write down the objective/learning outcome verbs that you would most often use for your

classes

How many of these?

• Reduce

• Change

• Replace

• Add

• Arrange

• Connect

• Compose

• Invent

• Predict

• Qualify

• Assemble

• Sequence

This is not new thinking…

I HEAR AND I FORGET

I SEE AND I REMEMBER

I DO AND I UNDERSTAND

Confucius 5th Century BCE China

“One must learn by doing the thing, for though you think you know it-you have no certainty, until you try.”

Sophocles 5thCentury BCE Greece

TWO MINUTE THINK!

So how does this thinking alter the role of the teacher in the classroom?

Old V NewRole of the teacher

• DesignerDesigner

• CreatorCreator

• ‘‘Scaffolder’Scaffolder’

• FacilitatorFacilitator

• Reflective Reflective practitionerpractitioner

• Active Active researcherresearcher

• InnovatorInnovator

• Receptacle of Receptacle of knowledge.knowledge.

• Examinations expert.Examinations expert.

• AuthoritarianAuthoritarian

• Text Book Text Book dominateddominated

• Transferral methodsTransferral methods

• TraditionalTraditional

Concerns about cooperative/active learning

• Losing control

• Dominance by strong individuals

• Discussion goes off track

• Takes too long to set up

• Lecture gets through material quicker

• Necessary level of planning by teacher, for it to work properly, just too much.

• Large class sizes not conducive.

• Physical environment not suitable.

• Tradition-Parents/Students/Management

Active/Cooperative learning methods

• Polling

• Group work

• Think pair share

• Jigsaw

• Group projects

• Vox Pop

• Wiki

• Snowball

• Think, pair share

• Diamond 9

• Walking Debate

• Interview

• Hot Seat

• Role play

• Freeze Frame

• Brainstorming

• Using clickers or traffic lights(caution)

• Sandwich technique

Group Work

• Remember students may not know how to behave. They may not be used to facing each other where facial expressions can be even more hurtful than words.

• All ideas must be valued equally.

• One person speaks the rest listen

• Everyone should record though one person might be nominated as reporter.

• Clear objectives need to be established

Tasks within group….Differentiation

• Reader

• Illustrator

• Reporter

• Time Keeper

• Observer (Like secretary)

• Chairperson (Interpersonal)

• Group critic

• Runner – Clarifies with the teacher

• Summariser

Some reading suggestions:

• Mike Hughes

• Edward De Bono

• Carol McGuinness

• Paul Ginnis