

{"id":3066,"date":"2025-06-30T18:22:10","date_gmt":"2025-06-30T18:22:10","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/stagewp.westernu.edu\/cetl\/?page_id=3066"},"modified":"2026-03-25T23:42:40","modified_gmt":"2026-03-25T23:42:40","slug":"active-learning","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/stagewp.westernu.edu\/cetl\/resources\/active-learning\/","title":{"rendered":"Active Learning"},"content":{"rendered":"<section class=\"hero-secondary\">\n  <div class=\"relative bg-black\">\n                <img decoding=\"async\" class=\"adhere object-cover\" src=\"\/media\/westernu\/basic-slider\/slide-default-00.jpg\" alt=\"slide-default-00\">\n      <div class=\"adhere gradient-overlay\"><\/div>\n        <div class=\"relative container pt-56 md:pt-112 pb-144 md:pb-192\">\n      <div class=\"md:flex md:justify-between px-12\">\n        <div class=\"sm:w-8\/12 md:w-6\/12 xl:w-5\/12 px-12\">\n                      <div class=\"mb-20\">\n              <div class=\"block font-sans font-bold text-14 text-white leading-130\">\n  <span class=\"inline-block\">\n    <a href=\"\/\" class=\"block hover:underline\">WesternU<\/a>\n  <\/span>\n      <span class=\"inline-block mx-6\">\/<\/span>\n          <a href=\"https:\/\/stagewp.westernu.edu\/cetl\" class=\"inline-block hover:underline\">Center for Excellence in Teaching and Learning<\/a>\n          <span class=\"inline-block mx-6\">\/<\/span>\n      <a href=\"https:\/\/stagewp.westernu.edu\/cetl\/resources\/\" class=\"inline-block hover:underline\">Resources<\/a>\n    <span class=\"inline-block mx-6\">\/<\/span>\n    <span class=\"inline-block\">Active Learning<\/span>\n  <\/div>            <\/div>\n                                        <h1 class=\"t-h1-sans  text-white\">Active Learning<\/h1>\n        <\/div>\n              <\/div>\n    <\/div>\n  <\/div>\n<\/section>\n\n\n<section class=\"relative my-48 md:my-72\">\n  <div class=\"container\">\n    <div class=\"lg:flex px-12 lg:justify-center\">\n      \n      \n                  \n                  \n      <div class=\"w-full px-24 wysiwyg-content xl:w-10\/12 2xl:w-9\/12\">\n        <h2>What is Active Learning?<\/h2>\n<p>Active learning is an instructional approach that engages students directly in the learning process through activities that promote analysis, reflection, collaboration, and problem-solving. Unlike traditional lecture-based methods, active learning shifts the focus from passive reception of information to meaningful student participation. This can include techniques such as group discussions, case studies, polling, role-playing, or writing exercises. Decades of research show that active learning improves student understanding, retention, and critical thinking skills across disciplines\u2014making it a powerful strategy for creating inclusive, learner-centered classrooms.<\/p>\n<h2>Getting Started with Active Learning<\/h2>\n<ul>\n<li>Posing Questions<\/li>\n<li>Think-Pair-Share<\/li>\n<li>Minute Papers<\/li>\n<li>&#8220;Low-tech&#8221; Polling<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n      <\/div>\n    <\/div>\n  <\/div>\n<\/section>\n\n\n<section class=\"relative mt-48 md:mt-72\">\n  <div class=\"absolute top-128 bottom-0 left-0 w-full bg-gray\"><\/div>\n  <div class=\"container relative pb-80 md:pb-112\">\n    <div class=\"px-24\">\n      <div class=\"bg-red py-48 md:py-64 relative px-24 sm:px-40 text-white rounded-5 md:rounded-8 md:text-center overflow-hidden\">\n                            <img decoding=\"async\" class=\"adhere object-cover\" src=\"\/media\/cetl\/localist-images-2.jpg\" srcset=\"\" sizes=\"100vw\" alt=\"Close-up of colorful plastic game pieces on a Ludo board, showing blue, orange, green, and red playing pieces arranged on various squares.\">\n          <div class=\"adhere bg-black-true opacity-60\"><\/div>\n                <div class=\"relative\">\n                      <h2 class=\"t-h2-sans  block text-white\">Spring Into Play!<\/h2>\n                                <p class=\"t-p2 mt-24 md:w-8\/12 mx-auto\">Download resources shared in our Spring Into Play Demonstration.<\/p>\n                                <ul class=\"md:flex md:flex-wrap md:justify-center md:items-center md:mt-32\">\n              \t\t\t\t                        <li class=\"block md:mx-8 mt-32 md:mt-20\">\n                  <a class=\"cta-pill cta-pill--yellow w-full md:min-w-208\" href=\"https:\/\/docs.google.com\/presentation\/d\/1nETxjw2CgBKcFKjB4aDxalhMp0LdpZ-b4f3Z7GEVutM\/copy\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Flash Card Template<\/a>                <\/li>\n\t\t\t\t                      \t\t\t\t                      \t\t\t\t                        <li class=\"block md:mx-8 mt-20\">\n                  <a class=\"cta-pill cta-pill--yellow w-full md:min-w-208\" href=\"\/media\/cetl\/pdfs\/activity-instruction-handouts.pdf\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Activity Instruction Handouts<\/a>                <\/li>\n\t\t\t\t                      \t\t\t\t                        <li class=\"block md:mx-8 mt-20\">\n                  <a class=\"cta-pill cta-pill--yellow w-full md:min-w-208\" href=\"\/media\/cetl\/public-health-bingo-example.pdf\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Bingo Example<\/a>                <\/li>\n\t\t\t\t                                  <\/ul>\n                  <\/div>\n      <\/div>\n    <\/div>\n  <\/div>\n<\/section>\n\n<section class=\"my-48 md:mt-96 md:mb-72\">\n  <div class=\"container\">\n    <div class=\"app-gutter\">\n            <div class=\"mx-auto md:w-10\/12 lg:flex lg:flex-wrap lg:flex-row-reverse\">\n        <div class=\"lg:w-4\/12\">\n                                  <img decoding=\"async\" class=\"w-full rounded-t-5 lg:rounded-8 h-240 sm:h-320 lg:h-full object-cover\" src=\"\/media\/cetl\/al-card-images-e1751305503919.png\" srcset=\"\" sizes=\"(min-width: 768px) 50vw, 100vw\" alt=\"Three overlapping instructional strategy cards titled &quot;Role Play,&quot; &quot;Peer Review,&quot; and &quot;Fishbowl,&quot; each with text and simple illustration icons explaining classroom activities.\">\n                  <\/div>\n        <div class=\"lg:w-8\/12 app-gutter\">\n          <div>\n            <div class=\"lg:px-40\">\n                              \t\t\t\t\n<div class=\"text-lockup text-lockup--default\">\n\t<h2>\n\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"t-h2-serif  block text-red-light\">Active Learning Cards<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"t-h2-sans  block text-red\">Download<\/span>\n\t\t\t<\/h2>\n\t\t\t<div class=\"wysiwyg-content t-p2 mt-24 text-black\">Download our Active Learning Cards for active learning inspiration.<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"mt-28\">\n\t\t\t<a class=\"cta-arrow cta-arrow--red \" href=\"\/media\/cetl\/pdfs\/active-learning-cards-2025.pdf\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">\n    View Cards<svg class=\"cta-arrow__icon d-block w-16 ml-12\" viewBox=\"0 0 20 16\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\"><polygon fill=\"currentColor\" points=\"11.3168217 0 9.27266614 2.39591605 14.0042587 6.6137266 8.92524936 6.42314237 0 6.42314237 0 9.57685763 8.92524936 9.57685763 14.0042587 9.3862734 9.19197579 13.6063528 11.3168217 16 20 8\"><\/polygon><\/svg>\n<\/a>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n                          <\/div>\n          <\/div>\n        <\/div>\n      <\/div>\n          <\/div>\n  <\/div>\n<\/section>\n\n<section class=\"my-48 md:mt-96 md:mb-72\">\n  <div class=\"container\">\n    <div class=\"app-gutter\">\n            <div class=\"relative mx-auto md:w-10\/12 lg:flex lg:flex-wrap lg:justify-end\">\n        <div class=\"app-gutter\">\n                                  <img decoding=\"async\" class=\"w-full rounded-t-5 lg:rounded-8 lg:absolute lg:left-0 lg:w-4\/12 h-240 lg:h-320 lg:h-full object-cover\" src=\"\/media\/cetl\/worksheet.jpg\" srcset=\"\" sizes=\"(min-width: 768px) 50vw, 100vw\" alt=\"A worksheet titled &quot;Active Learning Session Plan Worksheet&quot; with sections for class session overview, selected strategy, and logistics, including organization of students prompts.\">\n                  <\/div>\n        <div class=\"lg:w-8\/12 app-gutter\">\n          <div>\n            <div class=\"lg:px-40\">\n                              \t\t\t\t\n<div class=\"text-lockup text-lockup--default\">\n\t<h2>\n\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"t-h2-serif  block text-red-light\">Active Learning Session Plan Worksheet<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"t-h2-sans  block text-red\">Download<\/span>\n\t\t\t<\/h2>\n\t\t\t<div class=\"wysiwyg-content t-p2 mt-24 text-black\">Use our session plan worksheet to plan an active learning session in your course.<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"mt-28\">\n\t\t\t<a class=\"cta-arrow cta-arrow--red \" href=\"\/media\/cetl\/pdfs\/active-learning-session-plan.pdf\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">\n    View Worksheet<svg class=\"cta-arrow__icon d-block w-16 ml-12\" viewBox=\"0 0 20 16\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\"><polygon fill=\"currentColor\" points=\"11.3168217 0 9.27266614 2.39591605 14.0042587 6.6137266 8.92524936 6.42314237 0 6.42314237 0 9.57685763 8.92524936 9.57685763 14.0042587 9.3862734 9.19197579 13.6063528 11.3168217 16 20 8\"><\/polygon><\/svg>\n<\/a>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n                          <\/div>\n          <\/div>\n        <\/div>\n      <\/div>\n          <\/div>\n  <\/div>\n<\/section>\n\n<section class=\"my-48 md:mt-96 md:mb-72\">\n  <div class=\"container\">\n    <div class=\"app-gutter\">\n            <div class=\"mx-auto md:w-10\/12 lg:flex lg:flex-wrap lg:flex-row-reverse\">\n        <div class=\"lg:w-4\/12\">\n                                  <img decoding=\"async\" class=\"w-full rounded-t-5 lg:rounded-8 h-240 sm:h-320 lg:h-full object-cover\" src=\"\/media\/cetl\/poll-card.jpg\" srcset=\"\" sizes=\"(min-width: 768px) 50vw, 100vw\" alt=\"Four colored squares with large letters: A on blue, B on yellow, C on purple, and D on green.\">\n                  <\/div>\n        <div class=\"lg:w-8\/12 app-gutter\">\n          <div>\n            <div class=\"lg:px-40\">\n                              \t\t\t\t\n<div class=\"text-lockup text-lockup--default\">\n\t<h2>\n\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"t-h2-serif  block text-red-light\">Low-Tech Polling Card<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"t-h2-sans  block text-red\">Download<\/span>\n\t\t\t<\/h2>\n\t\t\t<div class=\"wysiwyg-content t-p2 mt-24 text-black\">Use our &#8220;low-tech&#8221; polling card to poll your students during class. <\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"mt-28\">\n\t\t\t<a class=\"cta-arrow cta-arrow--red \" href=\"\/media\/cetl\/pdfs\/low-tech-paper-clicker.pdf\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">\n    View polling card<svg class=\"cta-arrow__icon d-block w-16 ml-12\" viewBox=\"0 0 20 16\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\"><polygon fill=\"currentColor\" points=\"11.3168217 0 9.27266614 2.39591605 14.0042587 6.6137266 8.92524936 6.42314237 0 6.42314237 0 9.57685763 8.92524936 9.57685763 14.0042587 9.3862734 9.19197579 13.6063528 11.3168217 16 20 8\"><\/polygon><\/svg>\n<\/a>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n                          <\/div>\n          <\/div>\n        <\/div>\n      <\/div>\n          <\/div>\n  <\/div>\n<\/section>\n\n    \n  <section vue-app class=\"relative my-48 md:my-72\">\n    <div class=\"absolute top-1\/2 left-0 w-full h-1\/2 bg-gray\"><\/div>\n    <div class=\"container relative px-24\">\n              <h2 class=\"t-h2-sans mb-32\">CETL Sessions Archives on Active Learning<\/h2>\n          <\/div>\n    <card-slider class=\"pb-40\" card-width=>\n              <li class=\"card-slider__slide block flex-shrink-0\">\n          <card-slider-slide class=\"px-20\">\n            \n<section vue-app>\n<a class=\"card flex w-full h-full pb-8 flex-col items-stretch bg-white rounded-b-5 md:rounded-b-8 text-left\" href=\"https:\/\/cetlarchive.westernu.edu\/thats-the-ticket-using-entrance-and-exit-tickets-to-spring-learning-forward\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">\n  <span class=\"relative flex justify-center items-center w-full h-208 md:h-288 xl:h-320 flex-shrink-0 bg-black overflow-hidden\">\n                <img decoding=\"async\" class=\"card__image adhere object-cover pointer-events-none\" src=\"\/media\/cetl\/wepik-export-20240318232310oliz.png\" srcset=\"\" sizes=\"(min-width: 768px) 50vw, 100vw\" alt=\"Two yellow tickets on a light surface; one labeled &quot;Entrance&quot; and the other labeled &quot;Exit,&quot; both with star patterns and serial number 01234.\">\n          <\/span>\n  <span class=\"flex w-full items-center flex-grow p-20\">\n    <span class=\"block font-sans font-bold text-18 leading-130 flex-grow\">That&#8217;s the Ticket! Using Entrance and Exit Tickets to Spring Learning Forward<\/span>\n    <svg class=\"block w-20 ml-24 flx-shrink-0 text-yellow\" viewBox=\"0 0 20 16\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\"><polygon fill=\"currentColor\" points=\"11.3168217 0 9.27266614 2.39591605 14.0042587 6.6137266 8.92524936 6.42314237 0 6.42314237 0 9.57685763 8.92524936 9.57685763 14.0042587 9.3862734 9.19197579 13.6063528 11.3168217 16 20 8\"><\/polygon><\/svg>\n  <\/span>\n<\/a>\n<\/section>          <\/card-slider-slide>\n        <\/li>\n              <li class=\"card-slider__slide block flex-shrink-0\">\n          <card-slider-slide class=\"px-20\">\n            \n<section vue-app>\n<a class=\"card flex w-full h-full pb-8 flex-col items-stretch bg-white rounded-b-5 md:rounded-b-8 text-left\" href=\"https:\/\/cetlarchive.westernu.edu\/zoom-active-learning-strategies\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">\n  <span class=\"relative flex justify-center items-center w-full h-208 md:h-288 xl:h-320 flex-shrink-0 bg-black overflow-hidden\">\n                <img decoding=\"async\" class=\"card__image adhere object-cover pointer-events-none\" src=\"\/media\/cetl\/woman-video-conference-call-her-home-office-coronavirus-pandemic-e1724454820887-1-e1751306971723.jpg\" srcset=\"\" sizes=\"(min-width: 768px) 50vw, 100vw\" alt=\"A woman sits at a desk using a computer for a video call with four people, each visible in separate windows on the monitor.\">\n          <\/span>\n  <span class=\"flex w-full items-center flex-grow p-20\">\n    <span class=\"block font-sans font-bold text-18 leading-130 flex-grow\">Zoom Active Learning Strategies<\/span>\n    <svg class=\"block w-20 ml-24 flx-shrink-0 text-yellow\" viewBox=\"0 0 20 16\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\"><polygon fill=\"currentColor\" points=\"11.3168217 0 9.27266614 2.39591605 14.0042587 6.6137266 8.92524936 6.42314237 0 6.42314237 0 9.57685763 8.92524936 9.57685763 14.0042587 9.3862734 9.19197579 13.6063528 11.3168217 16 20 8\"><\/polygon><\/svg>\n  <\/span>\n<\/a>\n<\/section>          <\/card-slider-slide>\n        <\/li>\n              <li class=\"card-slider__slide block flex-shrink-0\">\n          <card-slider-slide class=\"px-20\">\n            \n<section vue-app>\n<a class=\"card flex w-full h-full pb-8 flex-col items-stretch bg-white rounded-b-5 md:rounded-b-8 text-left\" href=\"https:\/\/cetlarchive.westernu.edu\/the-active-learning-continuum\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">\n  <span class=\"relative flex justify-center items-center w-full h-208 md:h-288 xl:h-320 flex-shrink-0 bg-black overflow-hidden\">\n                <img decoding=\"async\" class=\"card__image adhere object-cover pointer-events-none\" src=\"\/media\/cetl\/final-logos-02.png\" srcset=\"\" sizes=\"(min-width: 768px) 50vw, 100vw\" alt=\"Center for excellence in teaching and learning logo.\">\n          <\/span>\n  <span class=\"flex w-full items-center flex-grow p-20\">\n    <span class=\"block font-sans font-bold text-18 leading-130 flex-grow\">The Active Learning Continuum<\/span>\n    <svg class=\"block w-20 ml-24 flx-shrink-0 text-yellow\" viewBox=\"0 0 20 16\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\"><polygon fill=\"currentColor\" points=\"11.3168217 0 9.27266614 2.39591605 14.0042587 6.6137266 8.92524936 6.42314237 0 6.42314237 0 9.57685763 8.92524936 9.57685763 14.0042587 9.3862734 9.19197579 13.6063528 11.3168217 16 20 8\"><\/polygon><\/svg>\n  <\/span>\n<\/a>\n<\/section>          <\/card-slider-slide>\n        <\/li>\n          <\/card-slider>\n  <\/section>\n\n                    \n\n<section class=\"relative my-48 md:my-72\">\n  <div class=\"container\">\n    <div class=\"lg:flex px-12 lg:justify-center\">\n      \n      \n                  \n                  \n      <div class=\"w-full px-24 wysiwyg-content xl:w-10\/12 2xl:w-9\/12\">\n        <h2>Related References<\/h2>\n<p>Angelo, T. A., &amp; Cross, K. P. (1993). <em>Classroom assessment techniques: A handbook for college teachers<\/em> (2nd ed.). Jossey-Bass.<\/p>\n<p>Barkley, E. F. (2010). <em data-start=\"491\" data-end=\"554\">Student engagement techniques: A handbook for college faculty<\/em>. Jossey-Bass.<\/p>\n<p>Freeman, S., Eddy, S. L., McDonough, M., Smith, M. K., Okoroafor, N., Jordt, H., &amp; Wenderoth, M. P. (2014). Active learning increases student performance in science, engineering, and mathematics. <em data-start=\"367\" data-end=\"421\">Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, 111<\/em>(23), 8410\u20138415. <a class=\"cursor-pointer\" target=\"_new\" rel=\"noopener\" data-start=\"438\" data-end=\"477\">https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1073\/pnas.1319030111<\/a><\/p>\n<p data-start=\"65\" data-end=\"455\">National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine. (2018). <em data-start=\"322\" data-end=\"377\">How people learn II: Learners, contexts, and cultures<\/em>. Washington, DC: The National Academies Press. <a class=\"cursor-pointer\" target=\"_new\" rel=\"noopener\" data-start=\"425\" data-end=\"455\">https:\/\/doi.org\/10.17226\/24783<\/a><\/p>\n\n      <\/div>\n    <\/div>\n  <\/div>\n<\/section>\n\n\n<section class=\"relative my-48 md:my-72\">\n  <div class=\"container\">\n    <div class=\"lg:flex px-12 lg:justify-center\">\n      \n      \n                  \n                  \n      <div class=\"w-full px-24 wysiwyg-content xl:w-10\/12 2xl:w-9\/12\">\n        <div id=\"main\" class=\"sidebar-none sidebar-divider-off\">\n<div class=\"wf-wrap\">\n<div class=\"wf-container-main\">\n<div id=\"content\" class=\"content\" role=\"main\">\n<p style=\"text-align: center\">Is your department interested in active learning training? Reach out to <a href=\"mailto:cetl@westernu.edu\">cetl@westernu.edu<\/a> to request a training session.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n      <\/div>\n    <\/div>\n  <\/div>\n<\/section>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"","protected":false},"author":257,"featured_media":0,"parent":1212,"menu_order":10,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":"","_links_to":"","_links_to_target":""},"class_list":["post-3066","page","type-page","status-publish","hentry"],"acf":[],"aioseo_notices":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/stagewp.westernu.edu\/cetl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/3066","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/stagewp.westernu.edu\/cetl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/stagewp.westernu.edu\/cetl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/page"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/stagewp.westernu.edu\/cetl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/257"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/stagewp.westernu.edu\/cetl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=3066"}],"version-history":[{"count":20,"href":"https:\/\/stagewp.westernu.edu\/cetl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/3066\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":3611,"href":"https:\/\/stagewp.westernu.edu\/cetl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/3066\/revisions\/3611"}],"up":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/stagewp.westernu.edu\/cetl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/1212"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/stagewp.westernu.edu\/cetl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=3066"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}