From Passive to Active

Despite overwhelming research (and common sense) that passive learning is less effective than active learning, many classes emphasize passive approaches. Passive approaches emphasize:

• Lectures
• Readings
• Watching video
• Listening to audio
• Observing demonstrations

Active approaches emphasize:

• Interaction through discussion
• Student<->student / faculty<->student interactions
• Student presentations
• Group projects
• Simulations
• Problem solving
  

A presentation blog dedicated to active learning:
http://activeonlinelearning.blogspot.com/

The National Survey of Student Engagement (NSSE) just released results of a national study that shows online students report deeper learning and more engaged learning than their on-campus counterparts:
http://nsse.iub.edu/NSSE_2008_Results/docs/withhold/NSSE2008_Results_revised_11-14-2008.pdf