Active Learning Techniques You’re Not Using Yet--but Should for Enhanced Knowledge Absorption

Today, active learning means students should get involved actively rather than just sit and listen. That is, they should listen to what has been taught to them and accordingly make notes and solve it. Precisely put, their brains should get involved, and they start absorbing knowledge.

For example: Let's assume that your child wants to learn about the topic of subtraction. Instead of showing subtraction of two numbers, such as 5 - 2 is equal to 3, an innovative method can be used. 

This innovative method can be giving 5 marbles to the kids and taking away two marbles, and asking them to count. This way, they will start getting involved as they are doing subtraction practically.

This style is workable and will help students as they remember what they have done. Reason:  they work on a hands-on activity rather than what they hear.

Table of Contents:
1.    Why Passive Learning May No Longer Be Effective in Higher Education?
2.    Features of Active Learning Based E-learning

• Think-Pair-Share--A Hidden Classroom Gem
• Teach Back to Learn Through an E-learning Platform
• Gamified Quizzes with Movement and Emotion
• Role Play for Difficult Concepts
• Case-Based Problem Solving: Real-Life Prep
• Gallery Walks and Museums

Why Passive Learning May No Longer Be Effective in Higher Education?

It has to be borne in mind that the current generation needs more than just speech. Means: it has to go beyond just sitting and hearing the lecture for long hours. Thus, delivering long lectures to students is not going to help the cause. This is because even the brain needs rest after a certain period. Also, it can remember those things that have been done practically.

Think about a situation in wherein students have watched a movie. Surprisingly, they are able to remember most of the characters and the story. 

The same can be done while teaching through 3D animation videos and e-learning simulations. This would lead to active learning for higher education as students would participate. Guess what, higher education e-learning is the platform that would provide these features.

Also, higher education can be exam-heavy, deadline-packed, and contain complex-worded books. Thus, academic e-learning consists of ways to make learning fun and helpful for knowledge assimilation.

Features of Active Learning Based E-learning

There are multiple features, especially related to active learning, that the e-learning platform provides. These active learning-based features come in very handy for higher education students. The most essential features are listed below one by one with the required details.

Think-Pair-Share--A Hidden Classroom Gem

The main advantage of using active learning techniques: it makes students stop, think, and then decide. Thus, e-learning presents simulation and quizzes; these steps aid in building memory.

This also means that teachers can provide a list of questions to the students. Students can check them on the e-Learning platform and think about them. 

For example, in a higher education class, the Teacher can ask why is certain number pattern is repeated. 

She may ask the entire classroom of students and give hints. They have to think about it and use a virtual platform to discuss with peers. This way, students can collaborate and share their answers with the teachers.

This kind of three-step methodology helps students to sharpen their learning skills. This also plays a major role among students to reduce their fear, especially in mathematics.

Teach Back to Learn Through an E-learning Platform

The e-learning platform for higher education has been designed smartly so that discussion can happen. That is, students can share their views with others and learn from others. This approach helps in bringing quickness and enhancement in learning.

Example: Teachers can ask students to discuss a topic related to a subject. This can be a subject that they find difficult to comprehend, or they run away from.

In such cases, students can use simulations and discuss the topic. Then they can ask their teachers about their doubts and get them clarified. This methodology of discussion through e-learning brings clarity to the subject matter.

Example: Suppose the learners are asked to learn about the water cycle and explain it. Now, e-learning simulations would allow them to explain it using three glasses and cotton balls. 

Thus, the features of active learning for higher education in e-learning prove useful. Moreover, the students learn and discuss, and hence, they never forget the concepts.

Gamified Quizzes with Movement and Emotion

Quiz games spark interest and focus--featuring reward points or penalties if students get it wrong, adding fun to learning. 

Imagine a spelling bee challenge, and students jump on getting the answer correct. Another instance: a biology quiz that allows balloon-popping for right answers. These kinds of small games' inclusion enhances understanding.

Also, these techniques convert boring content into something interesting and serve as memory builders.

Thus, gamified e-learning turns into a perfect higher education approach. In other words, it is the best exam-preparation and concept-checking method. Thus, a huge stress does not come on learners, and they solve problems easily.

Role Play for Difficult Concepts

It so happens that in mathematics, students have to learn about various kinds of abstract symbols and equations. This is when E learning can turn out to be useful for higher education students. It involves role-playing--students use practical ways in real life.

For example: law students can work in a court as it happens in an actual case. Similarly, science students can pretend as if they are atoms to understand the properties. In the same lines, business students can pitch various types of products to their clients.

These (drama-based, idea-mapping, peer-led) sessions help concepts to stick better in memory.

Case-Based Problem Solving: Real-Life Prep

Here’s a narrative-driven task for students to explain active learning through e-learning. They suss out issues (real-time scenarios); then find answers. Consider this problem statement: suppose that a factory pollutes a river; so the town frets--what now? 

Students mull over, carefully considering each aspect of the possible answer. They come out with potential and workable solutions together. This kind of active learning for higher education is based on a true-to-life method. The best aspect: it fosters the reasoning skills of the students and encourages them to go beyond books. 

Learners in higher education need this form of academically rigorous, practical-based scenario training/cases. These approaches will make them future leaders, capable of solving problems--even the toughest ones. 

In fact, the active learning scenarios mold the individuals and sharpen their minds. Thus, in many ways, the learning platform offers them long-term, skill-building active learning practice.

For scientific explorers who are in love with plants can check them regularly. That is: how their plants look every day—leaves, stem, and overall conditions. 

If a plant looks sad (very droopy) with yellow leaves, they can figure it out by themselves. The reasons can be that it isn't getting enough sunlight or may not have enough water.  This clearly indicates that active learning through simulations on e-learning has its effects.

Gallery Walks and Museums

Suppose there are plaster walls with interesting posters or thought-sparking problems. This scenario is presented by the e-learning platform for the learners. So students walk around the virtual room; they read. Also, they go ahead and jot down noticeable points and possible solutions. 

They all mosey about as if they are in small groups--tight-knit ones. They see, discuss the plaster walls, and understand the design. the situation is more like all of them sharing a single cookie. 

So, essentially, from the big size. cookie, everyone gets their share, and they discuss the taste. 

All in all, the museum vibe sets in; that is, students go on to take a stroll, observe, ponder, and discuss. This form of active learning offers peer-discussion benefits and sharpens their overall focus. With-get-up-and-go attitude, they end up building strong connections, too--team-spirited. 

Gradually, they aren't afraid of brain-bending topics of different subjects, and they approach problems with ease.

This holds true for coding bugs or even when it comes to poetry writing. So, suddenly, all subjects start making sense and are no longer new to them. Thus, active learning through a virtual medium helps, now, make tough-to-grasp ideas stick better to memory.

Conclusion: Why VK Creative Learning Is the Ideal Partner

Active learning is not a trend--it is a need for students and a necessary one. Thus, classrooms have to shift from usual talks to hands-on (practice sessions), brain-involving strategies. 

VK Creative Learning has been an expert when it comes to creating custom e-learning solutions. They include all active learning methods--role play, flipped classrooms, mind mapping, and more. 

Best part: students gradually learn the methods that their brains can absorb. Owing to this, schools (K-12 curriculum-based courses, universities, and companies start to get smarter individuals.

This is the reason why VKCL employs SMEs who use active learning methods for higher education. So, VKCL can generate courseware that reduces stress and aids in long-term retention of concepts. Importantly, the idea is not to just teach but let students experience, feel, and create knowledge through active learning.