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Self-directed learning is a new process where students make a greater effort to engage themselves with the course materials and can help students learn and retain information in a whole new way.

Active learning is participation by the students in a learning environment other than sitting and listening to a lecture given by an instructor. This can be accomplished by having the students participate in discussions, group projects, flipped classrooms, etc. 

The importance of active learning is it allows the students to learn by collaboration, problem-solving, and cooperation. In the online environment, discussion boards, interactive programs allow the students to actively participate and become responsible for knowledge gained. 

It's great to see active learning have such a focus in continuing education. As time goes on more and more types of learning styles are discovered as well as learning disabilities. By not incorporating active learning it will be impossible to engage with a significant portion of the class who do not learn by dictation alone. By addressing this and finding ways to engage with the entire class more and more students will be successful on their journeys and feel better and more fulfilled by their educational journey.

You have to make the courses for the students very interactive so they can grasp the concepts efficiently. Lectures shouldn't be about just standing in front of the class and talking and reading off of slides verbatim.

I spent a lot of time in the Core elements unit, focusing on the active learning strategies.  Very helpful! 

Active learning is a teaching and learning approach that emphasizes student engagement and participation. Unlike traditional passive learning, where students primarily listen to lectures and take notes, active learning strategies require students to be actively involved in the learning process.

It is beneficial to online learners in that it provides:
Increased Engagement: Active learning strategies can help keep students engaged in online courses, reducing the risk of disinterest or dropout.
Better Retention: Students are more likely to retain information when they actively participate in the learning process.
Enhanced Critical Thinking: Active learning activities can help students develop critical thinking and problem-solving skills.
Improved Collaboration: Many active learning strategies promote collaboration and teamwork, which are essential skills in today's world.

Effective practices include:
Interactive Discussions:

Online forums: Create online forums where students can discuss course material, ask questions, and share their perspectives.
Live webinars or video conferences: Host live sessions for real-time discussions and Q&A.
Asynchronous discussions: Encourage students to participate in asynchronous discussions that allow them to respond at their own pace.

This was a great lesson!! I learned active learning is crucial in an online environment as it keeps students engaged, deepens understanding, and fosters collaboration. By actively participating, students retain information better and apply it effectively, leading to improved outcomes and a stronger sense of community.

From this module, I heave learned the importance of active listening and the core elements included. I intend to apply this by encouraging students to perceive feedback as a tool for improvement and constructive thinking. Instead of just giving a simple answer to a question, I will engage in reflection and consider teamwork.

Active learning puts the student in charge of their own academic success.  The instructor serves as a leader, guide, coach, etc. and establishes rules and expectations.  Ultimately the student decides their outcome and success rate by their level of engagement and commitment to learning. 

I have learned how effective active learning can be, it uses more of the student's resources, allows them to develop more skills and competencies, students are more responsible for their learning, they will get to where they want to go, understanding, reflecting, not just analyzing the information and/or knowledge acquired but rather give it its usefulness, developing its critical level and its functionality, maintaining its active motivation, sharing collaboratively and cooperatively with its peers, which adds to the acquisition of new knowledge and its applicability in more situations than from one's own experience.
For the instructor it is quite a challenge, mainly for instructors who were trained in a traditional way.  That is why the importance of instructional designers who introduce them to the application of very useful and most popular technology for students of these latest generations.
Games such as kahoot and Socrative, digital whiteboards, among others, allow students to keep their attention active and encourage their participation, to be more dynamic, creative, use the information acquired, and incorporate it into their source of knowledge.
At the University where I currently teach some subjects, from course planning we receive advice from an instructional designer, who familiarizes us with AI programs and guides us teachers in improving our support materials; In the induction of teachers before the start of classes, they recommend the use of digital quizzes, digital whiteboards, the use of interactive games to help students reinforce the knowledge they are acquiring, with training and collaborative forums, assignments to help them. to develop their critical appreciation, their reflective capacity among others.
What has helped me understand this module is the significance and usefulness of the tools used in active learning, and the effectiveness of this form of learning, which is why I understand more the instructor's role as facilitator in the acquisition of knowledge in the students.

Comment on Lisa Hershey's post: Good afternoon, in my case I work more online than F2F, and I feel the need to apply new AI programs, interactive games that facilitate students in their active learning.
kind regards

you must understand all concepts of active learning to alleviate all to the instructor, and enhance learning for the students 

Active learning is fundamental to engaging students. 

It is important for instructors to realize their role as course facilitators and lecturers.  Active learning does make students responsible for their learning but instructors do have a duty to make sure the class course is facilitated in a manor that promotes healthy learning 

Active learning emphasizes that students take responsibility for their own education, with teachers serving as mentors and facilitators. In both face-to-face and online environments, this approach can be implemented through various methods, including : small group discussions ( fostering collaboration and idea -sharing among students). Large group assignments ( encouraging teamwork and collective problem-solving). Reflective practices (allowing students to critically assess their learning and its real-world applications). 

Base on my experiences active learning influences student engagement by shifting the focus from passive learning to active participation. 

The way we learn is changing with the environment around us .

 

Anything other than lecture is passive learning and it can be things such as group work, problem solving, debates, and playing jeopardy. It makes the students responsible for their learning and the instructor is the coach. It allows students to read, reflect, display, and do to learn.  It increases student retention, which may increase funding for the school as they have more students.

What stuck out the most for me is that it is encouraged, if not expected, to ensure our courses are fun for students. I wish that were the case when I was a student many moons ago. 

My main "take away."

Consistency, accountability, engagement, hunger for student success and thriving for excellency. We have to own it, we have be the CEO for our success and that success is making sure our students are successful. We must collaborate with our peers and mentor to guide us with struggles so we can become better than yesterday.

I learned that student centered learning is more engaged and collaborative. I intend to use a variety of strategies in class from group work to case studies and problem solving to keep students engaged.

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