Walking the Talk: Active Learning for Student Success

Walking the Talk:

Active Learning for Student Success

Texas Library Association

San Antonio April 12, 2007

AJ JohnsonUniversity of Texas Austin

aj@austin.utexas.edu

Outcomes:

• Learn what active learning is and why it is useful• Recognize different active learning techniques• Learn how to plan for active learning• Create active learning exercises based on

student outcomes • Apply techniques you learn today to your next

class!

Walking the Talk: Active Learning for Student Success

Active Learning is:

. . .the creation of opportunities for learners to engage content from multiple perspectives, including their own, through experience, practice and application.

Randy Hensley, 2003

Walking the Talk: Active Learning for Student Success

Why use active learning? For Students:

• Engages them• Teaches to Learning Styles• Utilizes Higher Order Thinking Skills• They get to research during class

Walking the Talk: Active Learning for Student Success

Why use active learning? For Us:

• Less blah blah blah• Answer their real questions• Give personal assistance• Assessment!

Walking the Talk: Active Learning for Student Success

Challenges

• So much to say, so little time• Less control of the outcomes• But that’s not how I learned!• Outsider syndrome

Walking the Talk: Active Learning for Student Success

Planning Active Learning

• Outcomes!!!• Select an activity and plan:

TimingInstructionsAssessment

• Practice

Walking the Talk: Active Learning for Student Success

Creating the Atmosphere

• Arrangement of room• Chat with students before class• Non-threatening active learning techniques• Ask questions, give time to respond• Allow for their questions

Walking the Talk: Active Learning for Student Success

Types of Active Learning ActivitiesIndividual:

Walking the Talk: Active Learning for Student Success

Reflection

Journaling

Worksheets

hands on searching

Types of Active Learning ActivitiesGroup:

Walking the Talk: Active Learning for Student Success

Polls

Brainstorming

Q&Apeer teaching

Group Discussion

Hands On Activities

UT Austin Resources:

– Tips and Techniques for Library Instruction– Clearinghouse of Instruction Materials

Walking the Talk: Active Learning for Student Success

http://www.lib.utexas.edu/services/instruction/teachindex.html

What did we just do?!?

Walking the Talk: Active Learning for Student Success

Questions?

Walking the Talk: Active Learning for Student Success