WHY IMPLEMENT ACTIVE LEARNING?
Lisa Keys Mathews
Department of Geography
University of North Alabama

Why is active learning important in today's classroom?  There are several answers to that question.  First, today's students are different that their predecessors.   Today's students are more techno-savvy and  accustomed to a more fast-paced environment which active learning can provide a classroom.  In addition, in the college environment we are seeing more working adults who are re-entering the classroom.   Because of their experience and busy lives, adults expect more out of their education than traditional students, are more likely to participate in classroom discussions, and are more likely to voice their frustrations when they are not "getting the money's worth from their classes."  Also, classrooms are host to a more culturally diverse student population today than every before.    Finally, research shows that students are more likely to learn if they are engaged and involved in the learning process as opposed to being empty vessels that must be filled.  (Meyers and Jones, 1993; Silberman, 1996; Active Learning)

So, it comes down to two points.  First, different people learn in different ways and if we are to reach as many students as possible we must incorporate different teaching and learning strategies into our classrooms.  Second, learning is, by nature, an active enterprise.  Meyers and Jones (1993) note that "when we involve students in activities that lead them to discuss, question, clarify, and write about course content, we not only foster better retention of subject matter but help expand students' thinking abilities as well."  (p.xii)  All teachers know (and have probably experienced the fact) that students do not learn by just listening, taking notes and studying for hours; students (as well as all of us) learn when we analyze, examine, discuss and apply information.  When a teacher helps a student apply information and solve problems, they are helping to expand a student's thinking abilities which sends that student is on his/her way to becoming a life long learner.

Silberman's (1996) Active Learning Credo sums it up this way (p. 1).

"What I hear, I forget.
What I hear and see, I remember a little.
What I hear, see and ask questions about
or discuss with someone else, I begin to understand
What I hear, see, discuss, and do, I acquire knowledge and skill.
What I teach to another, I master."

Created by Lisa Keys Mathews on 6/16/99.  Last revision 6/6/99 lkm