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Importance of Active Learning
Active learning is a teaching technique that allows students to actively take part in the teaching learning process by solving problems, and communicating with each other. Active learning directly involves a learner in which students use his affective and motor skills to understand and complete the task. This approach is different from traditional approaches in which students used to remain passive and just listen to the lecture and memorize the facts. Active learning comprises of different types of activities that have various duration and time limit to complete the task in hand. The theory behind the active learning is constructivism which suggest that students can learn by themselves and by building their own understanding. In active learning every individual has equal chance to take part in the activities and projects. This strategy is best used for children of young ages but it can also be effective with other all types of students in which student remain centered. Active learning is useful for all types of disciplines. There are various advantages of active learning such as, it enhances students critical thinking, creativity, problem solving skills, effective communication skills and personality development. Further, it exchanges new information from one learner to other. In this process students are judged by how they learn instead of the fact that what they learn. Learners are motivated to use their critical thinking. Students have a vital role in their own learning. They comprehend the phenomena that is set by their teachers for their learning. Students become lifelong learner by taking part in active learning. Active learning provides students freedom as a result they can learn on their own pace. Active learning helps pupils to focus and learn better. In this process students build strong connection with their fellows. Active learning enables students to solve their future problems as well.
https://www.queensu.ca/teachingandlearning/modules/active/04_what_is_active_learning.html
https://www.cambridge-community.org.uk/professional development/gswal/index.html
https://cei.umn.edu/active-learning
Active learning is grounded in constructivist theory but also the social constructivist theory of Vygotsky. This implies that students acquire most of their knowledge through social interactions. Active learning in practice usually creates a collaborative environment in which students engage with each other and learn through the process.
Active learning also comes with its set of challenges such as controlling the pace of the classroom as well as how to provide the right amount of stimulation to keep students engaged.