New challenges to active learning initiatives

Posted on February 15th, 2016

Case Western Reserve University developed an active learning initiative in 2013 and is now reviewing feedback and findings from the program after its second year. Twelve faculty members participated in a year-long Active Learning Fellowship (ALF) through the program to design or redesign a class, with the goal of increasing student engagement and success. When possible, faculty were assigned to classrooms that optimized collaboration. Students in fellowship courses reported more active engagement, and those in active learning classrooms had a greater enthusiasm for the course. However, active learning techniques applied in traditional classrooms were unpopular with students, indicating that further variables, such as instructor experience, class size, and type of classroom, need to be examined in the next year.

http://er.educause.edu/articles/2016/1/new-challenges-to-active-learning-initiatives