Promoting Active Learning Among our

Learners

Zakaria JAMAATIEFL Teacher

MATE-AgadirChtouka Ait Baha Delegation

zjamaati@yahoo.comMATE

Outline What is Active Learning (AL)? Why Active Learning is important? The Role of the Learner in an Active

Atmosphere. The Role of the Teacher. How does an AL class look Like What activities for an Active Class? AL and ICT. Incorporate AL in Assessment. Barriers for Using AL Approach in Teaching. Conclusion

What is Active Learning?

Definition 1:

“Active Learning is a process whereby students engage in Higher-Order Thinking tasks,such as Analysis, Synthesis and Evaluation.Cooperative Learning, Problem-based Learningand the use of Case methods and simulations aresome approaches that promote Active Learning”.

University of Michigan

What is Active Learning? Definition 1:

“Active Learning is a process whereby students engage in Higher-Order Thinking tasks,such as Analysis, Synthesis and Evaluation.Cooperative Learning, Problem-based Learningand the use of Case methods and simulations aresome approaches that promote Active Learning”.

University of Michigan

What is Active Learning?

Definition 2:

“Active Learning (AL) is an umbrella term that refers to several models ofinstructions, that focus on the responsibilityon the learners”

Bonwell & Eison (1991)

What is Active Learning?

We deduce from this, that in AL: The learner Use different strategies to do more

than just receive from the teacher. Must read, write, comprehend, reflect and

discuss Engage in solving problems. Engaged in high-order thinking tasks;

analysing, sensitising and evaluating the information perceived. Critical Thinking

What is Active Learning? Use the language to Discover, Process,

Apply and Interact. the Centre of the learning process. doing things and thinking about what

they are doing while they are learning

Why Active Learning?

“Students should be cognitively active rather than behaviourally active during learning”

Mayer (2004)

Why Active Learning? Bloom’s Taxonomy (1956)

Why Active Learning? The constructivist Approach“Children construct knowledge fromactively interacting with the physicalenvironment in developmental stages. They learn through their own individualactions and exploration”.

Piaget(1970)

Why Active Learning? AL meets the principles of the constructivist

theory as the latter favors:

ProcessGuided discoveryAuthentic Learning situationsUnderstanding/InterpretingPortfolio assessment

End productExpository LearningEmbedded Learning

Rote Memorization.

Standardizes exams

Why Active Learning?

A research by Edgar Dale revealed

that remember 90% of what they See, Hear, Discuss & Practise.

Why Active Learning?

Why Active Learning? Promoting AL in a language class,

gives young learners the chance to: Explore Discover Experience Experiment Cooperate Collaborate Reflect (Compare, Value, Hypothesise,

generalise..) Share

Why Active Learning? Practise Interpret Interact Be creative Solve problems Confident Proud of his own achievements

Why Active Learning? We , as teachers, have to take in

consideration 5 Students’ potential that would make difference in Ss’ learning and outcome.

(DESCA)Dignity.Energy.Self-Management.Community.Awareness.

The Role of the Learner in an AL Atmosphere

Autonomous Responsible for his own learning. Determine & figure out reasons and goals for

completing tasks and assignments. Perceive information critically A critical

thinker able to connect what he is learning to what

he already knows. Constructing Knowledge.

The Role of the Learner in an AL Atmosphere

Use different techniques in his learning; (Discover, Search, Evaluate, Produce …etc).

The Role of the Teacher To promote AL in Classes, Teachers

have to: Set Clear and measurable Students’

Performance Objectives (SPOs) to reach for their Ss.

Use content relevant to the learners’ level. Use appropriate, direct & Clear instructions. Resort to authentic materials. Vary techniques to push Ss to interact with

materials. Engage and involve Ss in plenty of discussion.

The Role of the Teacher

Provide Ss with a lot of language Practice. Reflect on their Practice & Development. Facilitators, Monitors, guider, Mentor, Counsellors, Motivators…

How does an AL Class look like?

Teacher centered.Very Quiet.Passive.T Ss.Authoritative.Competitive.

Learner Centered.Noisy, Lively.Active.S S // S T.Power sharing.Supportive.

Activities for an Active Class Songs & Chants Games Brainstorming Spider-maps Pair and Group Work Leading Discussions & Debates Drama, Scenarios & Role Plays Think-Pair-Share Activities

Activities for an Active Class

Minute Papers Project-Based Works Journals, Bulletin boards … Questioning/Negotiation Language. Case Studies.

AL and ICT

ICT tools and resources from internet can be used to create instructional situations or environments that maximize the potential for learning.

AL and ICT

Incorporate Active Learning in Assessment.

Self-Assessment:AL helps Ss always Stop, Check and Reflect on their own learning.

Formative Assessment:AL gives the Teacher the ability to assess Ss the content integrated to language in an on going process.

Incorporate Active Learning in Assessment.

Formative Assessment:Alternative assessment is any type of assessment in which students demonstrate their the abilities and skills they learned generally it is a response to a question or task. writing, performance assessment, oral presentations, demonstrations, exhibitions, and portfolios.

Barriers for Using AL Approach in Teaching.

Incorporating AL in every educational system can face different obstacles among them are:

Teachers may show resistance to any change. Teachers may refuse to share power in their

classrooms. This a new concept that we as teachers find difficulty to accept it.

The pressure of covering a lot of learning material in a limited and short period of time.

Teachers are supposed to increase their preparation time.

Barriers for Using AL Approach in Teaching.

Teachers are afraid of trying new activities and taking risks in their teaching.

Lack of materials, equipments.

Conclusions

Active Learning maximise Experiential Learning.

It is Learner-Centred. It develops Learning Excitement & Ss

Self Empowerment. It is connected to CBE & SBE.

Thank You for Being Good Active Learners

References SHIN.J.K. “Re-Thinking Active Learning”. 2nd Middle

School Seminar, MATE. Benslimane, Jan 2008. Bonwell, C.; Eison, J. (1991). "Active Learning:

Creating Excitement in the Classroom" AEHE-ERIC Higher Education Report No.1. Washington, D.C.: Jossey-Bass.

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