Foundations of Active Learning

Michael V. Drake Institute for Teaching and Learning

Overview

Active learning is an evidence-informed practice that emphasizes engaging students in the learning process through activities that promote higher-order thinking and deep learning (Prince, 2004). The benefits of active learning on student success are well documented; research demonstrates that active learning improves student performance and retention of information, fosters critical thinking, enhances problem-solving skills, and increases student satisfaction and engagement in the learning process. (Bonwell & Eison, 1991; Freeman et al., 2014). 

The Foundations of Active Learning Teaching Endorsement has been intentionally designed by Drake Institute staff to prepare educators to actively engage students in the learning process. Participants will explore the active learning theoretical framework, consider relevant learning technologies and optimization of learning spaces, and practice multiple active learning strategies, all aimed at creating an engaging and dynamic educational environment for students. 

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Learn more about Endorsement requirements and offerings.

Apply for Endorsement

Complete your required documentation.

Learning Outcomes

Participants will be able to:

  • Articulate effects of students' active engagement in the learning process on learning outcomes and achievement.
  • Identify learning technologies that can support the enactment of active learning strategies.
  • Describe space affordances and challenges (physical, virtual) that impact the enactment of active learning strategies.
  • Plan effective use of multiple basic active learning strategies.
  • Apply an evidence-based active learning strategy in a learning environment.

Participation Requirements

  • Participants must complete the following:
    • Two experiences in the "Foundational" category
    • Two experiences in the "Learning Technologies" category
    • Four experiences in the "Elective" category
  • Options for these experiences are listed in the "Program Elements" table below.
  • Please note: some of the experience options are listed in more than one category.  Each experience can only be "used" one time.  (i.e., if you "use" Engaging Students in Online Collaboration to fulfill a Learning Technologies requirement, you cannot also "use" it to fulfill an Elective requirement).
 

Verification

The final teaching endorsement application will require you to upload the following:

  • BuckeyeLearn certificates for each workshop you attended
  • Confirmation/documentation for Active Learning experiences not tracked in BuckeyeLearn if applicable (e.g., Individual Instructional Consultation, MCFI, SGID)

View instructions to access BuckeyeLearn certificates here (opens in new window).

 

Program Elements

Requirements.

REQUIREMENTS

EXPERIENCES

Workshops are offered on a rotating basis.  Check our Workshops and Events page to see what's offered each semester.

Choose 2 Foundational experiences
  • Active Learning with Technology (Asynchronous online training)
  • An Introduction to Evidence-Based Active Learning
  • Deep Dive into Active Learning Implementation Practices
Choose 2 Learning Technologies experiences
  • Engaging Students in Online Collaboration (Asynchronous online training)
  • Increasing Student Engagement with Top Hat (Asynchronous online training)
  • Introduction to Teaching with Artificial Intelligence
  • Promoting Interaction and Engagement in Carmen Zoom (Asynchronous online training)
Choose 4 Elective experiences
  • Adopting Classroom Assessment Techniques (CATs): Simple Evidence-Based Strategies for Learning Through Assessment
  • Engaging Students in Online Collaboration (Asynchronous online training)
  • Evidence-Based Active Learning: Gallery Walk
  • Evidence-Based Active Learning: Jigsaw
  • Evidence-Based Active Learning: Minute Paper
  • Evidence-Based Active Learning: Peer Instruction
  • Facilitating Effective Classroom Discussions
  • Facilitating Engaging Classroom Discussions (GTA Toolkit: available only to Graduate Teaching Associates)
  • Facilitating Group Work (GTA Toolkit: available only to Graduate Teaching Associates)
  • Immersive Active Learning 2-Day Workshop Series (counts as 2 Elective experiences)
  • Increasing Student Engagement with Top Hat (Asynchronous online training)
  • Planning Active Learning for This Semester
  • Reflective Writing Assignment Design and Assessment
  • Using Case Studies to Enhance Student Learning
  • Instructional Consultation or MCFI (Mid-Course Feedback on Instruction) or SGID (Small Group Instructional Diagnosis)
Total experiences: 8 (No overlaps – each experience can only be “used” once) 

 

Get Started

Learn more about Endorsement requirements and offerings.

Apply for Endorsement

Complete your required documentation.