Active Learning – the body of the
lesson
Active learning is learning that engages and challenges
children and young people’s thinking using real-life and
imaginary situations. It takes full advantage of the
opportunities for learning presented by:
Spontaneous learning
Planned purposeful learning
Investigating and exploring
Events and life experiences
Focused learning and teaching
What does it look like?
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It challenges learning
It engages learners
It is child centred
It builds upon previous experiences
It provides opportunities for fun/enjoyment
The learner can plan and evaluate learning (Aifl strategies)
It involves higher order thinking skills, for example, analysis,
synthesis, creation, evaluation
• It can be collaborative and involve co-operative learning (active
learning with a social and academic goal)
Graffiti – a group activity
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In groups of 4 (if possible).
Divide paper into 4 boxes.
Each person writes down as many active learning
activities as they can think of that they use in their
own lessons.
Share with each other once finished and find out
which are the most popular.
Have you learned any new strategies to try?
4 corners
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Look at the four pictures around the room.
Which one would you choose to symbolise where you
are in your practice with Active Learning?
Stand next to the picture you would choose.
Choose a partner and explain why.
Final points 1
Remember:
• Active learning does not have to mean moving around the
room!
Here are some final strategies people use:
• Think, Pair, Share
• Ordering text
• Using writing frames to create new work
• Finding out using resources, dictionary ICT etc
• Ball throwing games
• Mastermind
• Debate
• Learners leading parts of a lesson/teaching peers
Final points 2
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Peer assessment
Mini-white boards
Adapting role plays
Reading and explaining parts of a novel
Making things, following experiments
Creating and answering questions
Co-operative learning in groups
Co-operative learning whole class building
Reflecting on skills used to complete and activity and evaluating the
process
AND MANY MORE………………………………!
Active learning aids metacognition, helping learners to understand how
to learn and develop skills for life, work and
life-long learning.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=UsDI6hDx5uI