Subject Guides: Effective Teaching: Active Learning Spaces

Articles

12 Learning Myths Exposed On this page, we’ve busted all the myths surrounding your learning abilities. Our team has collected all the popular misconceptions about studying and explored why they are inaccurate.
Active Learning Classroom Observation Tool: A Practical Tool for Classroom Observation and Instructor Reflection in Active Learning Classrooms Faculty developers and researchers developed and piloted the Active Learning Classroom Observation Tool to elicit thoughtful reflection and meaningful feedback on teaching and learning undertaken within these new learning spaces. Tracey Birdwell, Tiffany A. Roman, Leslie Hammersmith, and Douglas Jerolimov, "Active Learning Classroom Observation Tool: A Practical Tool for Classroom Observation and Instructor Reflection in Active Learning Classrooms," The Journal on Centers for Teaching and Learning, Vol. 8, 2016: 28–50.
Active Learning Classrooms (ALCs) Infrastructure to help students get the most out of their learning experience. McGill University
Active Learning Classrooms: Creative Spaces for Innovative Pedagogy University of Victoria
Active Learning Spaces: Lessons Learned in the United States SURF, the collaborative organization for ICT in Dutch education and research, organized a study trip to the 2019 EDUCAUSE Learning Initiative (ELI) Annual Meeting to learn more about active learning spaces. Here we offer six important lessons learned for active learning spaces. by Stan Aalderink Published:nWednesday, October 30, 2019
Active Learning Strategies Active learning activities can be incorporated in various classrooms as well as in an online environment. Presented in each section are activities, organized by active learning strategies and instructional approaches, which can be adapted into many classroom types
Addressing challenges ALCs are designed to foster an interactive, student-centered learning experience; however, particular aspects of these spaces can pose problems for both students and instructors who are new to them. What follows are common issues you may experience and some suggested solutions. University of Minnesota
Creating Active Learning Classrooms Is Not Enough: Lessons from Two Case Studies Although designed to support innovative teaching and learning practices, to succeed, active learning classrooms must be accompanied by sustained and intentional faculty development programs. Here, we address this crucial link by highlighting how two programs facilitate faculty development. Authors: by Stacy Morrone, Anna Flaming, Tracey Birdwell, Jane Russell, Tiffany Roman and Maggie Jesse Published: Monday, December 4, 2017
Goodbye Lecture Halls, Hello Active Learning Spaces Strategies to Transform Your Classroom into a Lively, Student-Centered Learning Environment by Carol Rolheiser, Kathleen Olmstead, and Kelly Gordon - October 3, 2019 - Centre for Teaching Support & Innovation (CTSI), University of Toronto
Learning Environments: Active Learning Spaces Best Practices Guide 2018 - Tips and Activities for Active Learning Spaces - UNSW Sydney
Teaching in an Active Learning Classroom (ALC) Since 2007, the research and evaluation team at CEI has collaborated with the Office of Classroom Management (OCM) and other central units to conduct an ongoing research on new learning spaces. These projects attempt to determine to what extent ALCs affect student learning outcomes, student and instructor perceptions, and teaching and learning practices. Several publications resulting from this research are listed in the Research and Resources tab. University of Minnesota
What are Active Learning Classrooms? Research on learning space design has demonstrated that the design of a classroom has impact upon the way in which students and instructors interact and engage in teaching and learning. Queen's University

Videos

Active Learning Classrooms: Teaching Strategies and Student Engagement - part 1 by videoedc, 12 July 2017

Active Learning Classrooms: Learning through inquiry and collaboration by McGill University, Mar 15, 2011 [4:41]

Do ALCs improve student learning? by University of Minnesota, Sep 26, 2018. [2:06]

Ellis Hall Active Learning Classrooms by University of Minnesota, Jul 16, 2014. [3:43]

Teaching in ALCs for the first time by University of Minnesota, Sep 26, 2018. [2:23]

Teaching in ALCs: Advice by University of Minnesota, Sep 26, 2018. [2:20]

Teaching and Learning Experiences in Active Learning Classrooms: Highlights by McGill University, Mar 15, 2011. [5:50]

The Extraordinary Teaching Project: Stage Blocking - Movement in the Classroom by the University of iowa, Apr 9, 2015. [4:18]

Graphics (click on graphic to expand)

Active Learning Classroom Types

This image illustrates four UNH classroom types divided into categories :

Lecture
Suitable to Active learning
Active Learning
Technology-Enabled Learning (TEAL)

Each classroom type promotes active learning techniques that can be applied to teaching strategies.

The pyramid chart shows varied active learning activities that can be effective in classroom types, from no technology --> to low technology --> to TEAL classroom.

Anatomy of an Active Learning Classroom Infographic

An active learning classroom is a teaching and learning space that allows teachers to move beyond the lecture style. Students and teachers today need a learning environment that has spaces that not only support technology but where everyone can see and interact with the subject matter, instructors and other students.

Active Learning Spaces

Implementing Active Learning

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Effective Teaching: Active Learning Spaces

"I realized if you can change a classroom, you can change a community, and if you change enough communities you can change the world." ~~ Erin Gruwell