To get the most out of studying and learning situations, it’s important for students to know how they can maximise their retention of information. Arguably the best way to deepen your knowledge is to meaningfully consider the content you’re learning while you’re being taught, in a process known as active learning. But what does that mean, and how can students actually make it work for them?
Active learning is when students are intentionally engaged with content and do a meaningful activity with the information they are learning. This typically involves thinking, discussing or investigating the content while it is being taught, rather than simply being told. An active learner will feel motivated to want to learn and they will make connections with how the material is relevant to their life instead of just memorising it. They will have the ability to reflect on their learnings and experience multiple ways to engage with information.
Active study has been proven to be the most effective because students involve multiple parts of their brain and use more than one sense at a time. Active learning examples could include writing down notes as the professor lectures or interacting in a group activity that directly correlates with the content.
To understand active learning theory properly, it’s important to recognise what it is not. In contrast to active methods, passive learning is when students simply receive information presented to them without considering it more deeply, leaving it up to their teacher to do most of, if not all, the work. This is common when students are unfocused or distracted, or when they lack motivation.
Passive learning takes less energy, but unfortunately often leads to worse outcomes for students. Passive learners typically do not retain or understand information to the same degree that active learners do. While passive learning is still preferable over being completely unfocused in the classroom, in a choice between active and passive learning, it is best to go active.
Being intentional about your learning is important wherever you do it — active learning in the classroom is just as important as your revision time at home. These are our recommendations for achievable and effective active learning techniques.
Deploying an active learning strategy while you’re first encountering information will give it a better chance to be retained in your memory and more readily accessible during assessments.
We encourage students to leverage the benefits of active learning to improve their education outcomes and give themselves the best chance of success.
Active learning is very useful because it offers students the chance to process course material through various learning formats such as thinking, writing, talking or problem solving. People learn content differently; some are visual thinkers, others learn best by doing, and some remember auditory information more effectively. Adapting an active learning style helps everyone intentionally learn course material in the best way that works for them.
When students apply the knowledge they’re learning with engaging activities, it helps to strengthen their neural pathways. Through repetition, the active learning strategies embed the information deeper into their memory and solidifies their understanding of the topic, helping to enhance the retention of the material.
When students participate in active learning, there is a lot more room for collaboration. For instance, if a student is speaking in an open class discussion, they can delve deeper into the topic with their peers, gaining a more thorough understanding, or receive immediate feedback from a professor if they misunderstand the concept. They will also get to know their peers better if they regularly interact with them, which boosts their self-confidence and self-esteem. By taking a hands-on approach, students get the chance to create personal connections with the material which strengthens their understanding and increases their motivation to learn.
Active learning creates opportunities for students to engage in activities centred around scenarios, case studies, and thought-provoking questions. Within these activities, students can create safe environments to experiment, encounter setbacks, and learn from feedback. Embracing failure is integral to the learning process and classrooms that encourage risk-taking and creativity not only reward effort but also foster growth mindsets — the belief that our capacity has the potential to improve through diligence and perseverance.
Active study techniques give students the chance to gain new skills, problem-solve in different ways, and learn how to conquer problems they may face in the real world. Although educators still often rely on traditional lecture formats, which students may prefer for their reduced cognitive load, this approach often results in less deeply absorbed content. Leaning into active learning can get students to fully invest themselves into the course work they are learning – making it more meaningful and impactful.
At St Francis Xavier College, we teach students how to actively learn and deeply consider the material they study. Get in touch to learn more about how we can provide the perfect pathway for your child.