Race To The Top: Passive or Active Learning?

Describes the differences--in both method and outcome--between passive and active learning. Unfortunately, most classrooms are textbook-based and passive.

Category:

Education

Tags:

• Passive
• or
• Active
• Learning

[HarryNNelson]

I agree in large part. However, I'm a college level physics instructor, and a lot of the textbooks we use are very interactive and not memorization-oriented. The whole point is to learn how to approach problem solving and learn general principals by doing increasingly challenging exercises. Math and particularly proof-oriented higher math is very problem-solving oriented too. I think you have oversimplified the situation for at least math and physics.

[BRADYBROS]

@HarryNNelson

What is no doubt true for college level science is less and less true for middle and high school courses. Time for that used to be spent in lab work and experiment is mostly gone in the push for standardization. The books get thicker, every year it seems, and the amount learned from them decreases.

Howard Brady

[HarryNNelson]

I'm all for solid lab work and experiment, and the balance may not be optimal in K-12 these days. My daughter is in junior high now, and more lab work would be good. However, I work through math problems with her from her very thick math book. They are pretty good! My only criticism is that very simple steps are made to seem overly formal, given big names, etc. We are often reacting `is that all?' . If anything, the text assumes kids are really not quick on the uptake.

[pphillips1958]

Interestingly, I found this a few hours before taking my Intermediate English Speaking class to an ice cream shop for a little real life experience. I teach in the English Language Program at VA Commonwealth Univ and am a fan of active learning. Our goal is to teach the English language fundamentals as well as practical application to our international students. The students "had a ball" (one of the idioms we learned in class) today. I applaud Brady for his efforts to promote active learning.