Active learning
Overview
Active learning includes any way students engage with information that is not passively receiving it (i.e. lectures, reading of set texts or watching a video). Through organising, analysing, problem-solving, designing, discussing or many other active tasks, students are better able to remember and understand the information and make creative connections with it.
This section includes articles on student engagement, interactive resources, icebreakers, quizzes and polling, active pedagogies such as flipped learning and some of the tools that can be used to promote active learning.
Tests and quizzes – which tool do I choose?
Compare the different tools for running asynchronous tests and quizzes.
Introducing Microsoft Whiteboard
Some ideas for active learning in webinars using Microsoft Whiteboard.
Mentimeter icebreaker activities
These short, engaging activities can be subject-relevant as well as providing a talking point for students.
Adding Mentimeter quizzes to Panopto recordings
You can use Mentimeter within your Panopto recordings to keep them interactive just as you would in a classroom.
Active learning using Bookmarks, Notes and Discussions in Panopto
Suggestions for active learning activities using Panopto tools.
Using Panopto Bookmarks, Notes and Discussions tools
Encourage students to get more from your video recordings by adding bookmarks, taking notes and discussing with classmates.
Tests and quizzes in the (virtual) classroom
Options for running a synchronous test or quiz in a classroom or webinar.
Interactive seminars, tutorials and drop-ins using Blackboard Collaborate
Using breakout groups, polling and feedback icons for interaction in Collaborate.
Active Learning with Mentimeter
Mentimeter for Teaching Part 2. This series explores how Mentimeter can enrich the student experience and boost engagement.
Three ways to add quizzes and interactivity to Panopto recordings
Add interactivity to your videos using Panopto quizzes, Mentimeter or Xerte.
Using Mentimeter in and out of the classroom
Mentimeter for Teaching Part 1. This series explores how Mentimeter can enrich the student experience and boost engagement.
Mentimeter – sharing and access
Learn how to hide results, close a poll and share both the results and the presentation itself.
Getting started with Mentimeter
A quick guide to help you find your way around the Mentimeter polling tool.
Using video to flip the classroom
Case study on flipped learning and using desktop recording to provide teaching materials, by Senior Research Fellow Juliet Jain.
Three great things about Xerte
Find out more about this browser-based tool for creating interactive and accessible online resources.
Using Polling in a Blackboard Collaborate Webinar
One way of making webinars more interactive, engaging and useful for learners is to use polling
Interactive learning resources in Xerte for equipment in labs and studios
Make sure students know how to use equipment safely with an interactive online guide.
Flipped classroom approach used in Engineering, Design and Maths (EDM) department
Catherine Hobbs and Ben Drew have been using the flipped classroom approach in their teaching for several years now.
‘Flipped’ learning – what is it?
What is flipping? ‘Flipped learning’ or ‘the flipped classroom’ are recent buzz words/phrases in education. Flipping is an approach that…
What’s the difference between wikis and blogs?
A discussion of two ways of facilitating student-created content.