Active Learning Workshop - Singapore Polytechnic

Active Learning Strategies 

Workshop Session 

26 March 2013

Education 

(images extracted from the Internet)

Outline 

• Introduce to sometechniques of active learning 

• Experience the way of putting one of the 

technique into practice while learning other 

techniques 

• Sharing of active learning example

A simple exercise 

• Finding friend(s) for each season

Content 

• Getting to know Active Learning 

• The need for active learning 

• Methods of active learning

5 minutes Discussion 

‣ Find your partners in … 

Topics 

What is active learning mean to you? 

What are some of the engaging learning methods you 

have used? 

List down some important life skill?

Good Practice – Active Learning 

(CDIO standard 8) 

• Engage students directly in thinking and problem 

solving 

• Increase student learning motivation 

• Help students recognize what and how they learn 

• Help students form habits of lifelong learning 

(based on CDIO 2008 workshop)

How Does the Way Students Organize 

Knowledge Affect Their Learning? 

Novice A 

Novice B 

Knowledge 

Organizations 

Expert C 

Expert D 

Source: “How People Learn” by John D. Bransford [et al], 2000

How Does the Way Students Organize 

Knowledge Affect Their Learning? 

Novice 

• contingent on concept 

formation and assimilation 

• identified disparate individual 

issues 

Expert 

• constructivist process using 

active concept integration and 

self-initiated strategies 

• able to articulate systemic 

issues 

Source: “How People Learn” by John D. Bransford [et al], 2000

5 minutes Discussion 

‣ Find your partners in … 

Topics 

Who do you think needs active learning and why?

Good Practice – Active Learning 

(CDIO standard 8) 

• Active learning trains weaker students the learning 

skills and give guidance to them 

• Active learning add to the knowledge of better 

students

Methods 

Muddy Cards 

Recitation 

Concept 

Questions 

Jigsaw 

Classroom 

Formulate- 

Share-Create- 

Revise 

ACTIVE LEARNING 

Guided Note- 

Taking 

Experiential Learning 

students take on roles that simulate professional practices 

Problem 

Based 

Learning 

Case Studies 

Project 

Based 

Learning 

Simulations 


Active Learning Method

Procedure – to teach 3 concepts 

(based on CDIO 2008 workshop) 

1) Class is divided 

into groups of 3 and 

numbered 1-3 

Stage 1 : form Base Groups 

2) Assigned each student a single concept 

corresponding to his/her number to study individually 

1) Form expert group with 

all the 1’s together, 2’s 

together, etc 

Stage 2 : form Expert Groups, instructor as facilitator 

2) Discuss the assigned 

concept and identify the 

key points. 

3) Consider ways of teaching 

this concept to the other 

members of their Base Group 

Stage 3 : [Back to Base Groups] 

Take turns to teach their concept to the other members 

When all groups have learned all the concepts, the 

instructor checks understanding

Activity on 

JIGSAW CLASSROOM 

STAGE 1 

• Divide into Base Groups of 3, and number 

yourselves 1 to 3 

• Refer to HANDOUT for three active learning 

methods 

• Person 1 studies only Method 1, Person 2 studies 

only Method 2, etc. 

5 minutes 


Activity on 


STAGE 2 

• Form Expert Groups – all 1’s, all 2’s and all 3’s 

• Discuss what you have read and learned and 

consider how best to explain to others 

• You may use any of fthe following: 

» Mind map 

» Flow chart 

» Visual representation 

» Others 


Activity on 


STAGE 3 

• Back to your own Base Groups and share your 

new knowledge – teach each other what you have 

learned 

• List which method your group think is best and 

why? 

10 minutes 


Checking For Understanding

CONCEPT QUESTION 

Q. Which active learning technique clarifies and 

reinforces independent learning through peerpeer 

discussion? 

» Formulate – Share – Create – Revise 

» Mud Cards 

» Recitation / Ticking 

» discuss with your partner(s): 

• Benefits of Formulate-Share-Create-Revise 



Q. Which active learning technique motivates 

students to spend more time in private study by 

requiring them to explain their learning to the 

class? 


» Mud Cards 


» discuss with your partner(s): 

• Benefits of Recitation/ Ticking 



Q. Which active learning technique encourages 

students to reflect on their learning and provides 

immediate feedback to the instructor? 


» Mud Cards 


» discuss with the class: 

• Benefits of Mud Cards

Muddy card 

Q. What is still “clear as mud” to you? 

Q. What methods for engaging students might you 

now introduce to your teaching?


(Review) 

• A coopertive learning approach in which: 

• The role of the instructor is not to lecture but is to facilitate 

student learning 

• Students form ‘learning teams’ in which they teach 

themselves and each other 

• A ‘learning contract’ is formed between team 

members 

• Students are motivated to take responsibility for their own 

and each others’ learning 

• Enhances student engagement with material 

• Facilitates interaction between students 

• Develop communication and teamwork skills 

• An efficient way to cover content 


Thank You ! 

Ng Geok Ling 

Senior Lecturer 

Academic Mentor 

Singapore Polytechnic 

DID. +65.6772.1166 

School of ABE 

NGL@sp.edu.sg 

500 Dover Road 

T303 

Singapore 139651 

Rose Huang 

Senior Lecturer 

Academic Mentor 

Singapore Polytechnic 

School of ABE 

500 Dover Road 

T3A35 

Singapore 139651 

DID. +65.6870.4860 

RNG@sp.edu.sg

Active Learning Workshop - Singapore Polytechnic

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