Except where otherwise noted, this work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International License (CC BY-SA 4.0).
This guide was originally developed in the Centre for Teaching Excellence, Capilano University. This revised version is used with permission. The original can be found here.
Active learning is any situation where students are actively engaged in the learning process. Usually contrasted with passively receiving information (e.g., a "traditional" lecture), active learning comes in many forms ranging from simple to complex. Active learning often involves students working together with a partner or in groups, but can also include individual activities and reflection.
The simple active learning strategies provided in this guide will help you design engaging and interactive learning experiences for your students. Most of these strategies can be used with both large and small groups. Most also include time for individual reflection, which is an important aspect of active learning. This brief overview includes short summaries of each activity as well as detailed instructions, variations, and extensions that can be adopted by almost any instructor in any discipline.
Wondering how to effectively implement active learning in your course? This helpful article from Faculty Focus provides a concise overview. If you would like to consult with someone on how to incorporate these (or other) strategies into your course, please contact cetl@camosun.ca to make an appointment with a CETL faculty member.
Use the menu on the right or download the PDF below to find the best strategies for you!
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