Critical and Analytical Thinking in Active Learning
I think that active learning in the classroom is a great tool for students because it allows them to engage themselves in both analytical and critical thinking. Working all aspects of their brain. It allows them to utilize the various resources available to them engaging each other, the teacher,to discover the most useful information.
Hi Joshua,
Students really are fond of active learning. Active learning is the key to bring excitement and generate a high energy level in the classroom.
Patricia
I agree. The energy that active learning generates involves the entire class and allows everyone to engage in class discussions. It allows allows each student to be able to see how their peers think. great tool for learning.
Hi Joshua,
When the whole class is engaged in the learning process, excitement is taking place. Students learn best by having fun and by doing.
Patricia
I agree with you. There are, however, some students that do not and will not participate no matter how hard you try to engage them. What do you do at that point?
Hi Sarah,
As adults you can not make them participate. You can only strongly encourage participation. Call on them to answer questions that have no right or wrong answer, it is simply their opinion. I have had great success with getting more participation this way. Also you may want to add a participation grade to the course to encourage participation.
Patricia
My class has moved from a bakeshop style kitchen to a culinary kitchen. Instead of panicking it has actually helped to engage the students more. They come and pick up our class order and additional equipment so they get to see what we are making that day, but we also get to do a lot of mixing by hand and in bulk using industrial mixers to mix batches per table so then they work together on shaping doughs which helps them and myself. So all in all it's been a good switch.
Hi Karyn,
Sometimes change can be a good thing. Generally, if the instructor does not make an issue of the change, the students won't. Exposure is always a plus.
Patricia Scales
