19 Choose Strategies for Active Learning
Now that you’ve identified what you need to learn, you can now make a plan for how to learn, and to put it into practice. The best kind of learning is active learning. When you learn actively, you apply a variety of strategies to your course material, including reading, writing, reflecting, solving problems, organizing material visually, self-testing, and working with others.
Active learning requires you to choose a method to process and recall the material you’re learning. Some active learning strategies are:
- Using flash cards.
- Making a visual organizer that summarizes key chapter concepts, such as a mind map or chart.
- Organizing key ideas into a new chart.
- Answering questions or creating a practice test.
- Working with a study partner or group.
- Writing about the material you are learning.
Not only is active learning a more engaging and fun way to study, but it also allows you to use your study time more effectively.[1]
Try it!
- Consider the material you’re learning in 1 of your courses this week.
- Create a list of active learning strategies that you can use to study this content.
Extend Your Learning
Check out the following resources:
- NSCC Study Skills Subject Guide for tips, tools and resources.
- Essential Study Skills guide by Algonquin College.
- Michael, J. (2006). Where’s the evidence that active learning works? Advances in Physiology Education, 30(4), 159–167. https://doi.org/10.1152/advan.00053.2006 ↵
