Active Learning

Active learning is a learning and teaching approach.

 

It requires children to actively participate in their learning in a wide variety of ways, thereby increasing the possibility of internalising what they have explored and of being able to use the learning in their everyday lives. Active learning contributes significantly to fostering self-confidence, self-discipline and self-control in the learner.

  • Active learning is a process. As children participate meaningfully in their own learning they engage in a process in which they can begin from what they already know, explore possibilities, question, draw conclusions and reflect on outcomes.

  • Active learning can be carried out by individual children or in group situations and by all age groups. Children can be actively involved in their learning while working independently or alternatively as they interact with and learn from their classmates. Active learning can take place at all class levels in the school.

  • Active learning engages children at different levels. Children can be engaged in their learning at a physical level through hands-on experiences such as making, constructing and designing, or simply in standing up or changing place as a response. They can be involved at an emotional level as they explore their feelings about a particular topic, hypothesise or give a personal opinion, whereas analysing, questioning, reflecting, negotiating or summarising require participation at a cognitive level.

  • Active learning promotes action. As children take part in activities, they learn to transfer the learning to situations they may encounter in their everyday lives and to the decisions and choices that they make. Active participation in learning is therefore significant in helping children to acquire health related messages and to put these into practice in their own lives. Similarly, as they learn the meaning of responsible citizenship they are encouraged to take steps to become active participants in their own communities.

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