Active & Passive Learning

Tech Tip Tuesday (November 21, 2023)

Active learning requires students to engage with material by solving problems, discussing concepts, conducting simulations and participating in other interactive tasks. It improves critical thinking, motivation, and retention to help build deeper understanding and skills

Passive learning help provide foundational knowledge through traditional lecture, readings, and teacher-led resources to empirical knowledge.

Effective instruction incorporates both passive teaching of concepts and active student engagement with the material.

The key difference is that active learning requires students to do something with the information, while passive learning just has them receive it.

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How can technology help me with both?

I'm so happy you asked!

First, let's get rid of the negative connotation that passive learning has. Passive learning is necessary, but how can I shift to more active practices?

SAMR

SAMR stands for...

Substitution-technology acts as a direct substitute for traditional tools, with no functional change

Example: Digitizing a worksheet that could be done on paper

Augmentation-incorporates the efficiency benefits of technology to enhance tasks

Example: Use Google Sheets to let students color in the blocks, where the teacher can offer feedback directly on Google Sheets

Modification-significant redesign of tasks using technology

Example: Design a digital travel brochure about their chosen location, utilizing student-created video and multimedia elements

Redefinition-technology allows for new tasks that were previously inconceivable without it

Example: Students must work collaboratively to create a documentary based on specific learned concepts.

Why does this matter?

Access to information easily has become ubiquitous with technology, and rethinking how we teach and what we can do.

How can you make learning more active?

1. Have students create with technology, not consume.

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Creating makes learning last WAY longer than a multiple choice test.

Canva is a great place to get ideas for teaching and learning, for student creation, and to make digital and interactive learning.

It's also free for premium use for all PK-12 educators and students!

Check out their K-12 learning resources here!

2. Explore and learn together.

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Most of us have had a student show you how a tool operates on the interwebs.

However, how often do students lead each other's learning intentionally and maybe show the teacher something?

The Cyber Sandwich from EduProtocols is a great way to think-pair-share without a clearer structure.

All you need is a Google Slide template, or you can print it out if you want to take it offline!

The teacher isn't leading it; the students are.

3. Apply real-life scenarios.

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I don't want to listen to someone explain an abstract concept, let alone not understand it after a passive lecture or presentation that only talks about the phenomenon.

We can't get to Cape Canaveral every day, so something will have to suffice.

Simulations are a great way to reason with abstract ideas with things that might be beyond their grasp.

CK12 offers free simulations on physics and chemistry concepts that allow for students to explore idas further independently and provide a basis for conversation, both in the

PhET Interactive Simulations from University of Colorado-Boulder offer a wide range of modifiable simulations from concepts that span the STEM fields from math to earth science to biology to physical sciences. They also have a teacher supported community to show how other other teachers are using their classrooms across the United States.

🔗I think I have a question for you, but I cant remember. Just snag a time slot!