Voices of Educators

Abstract

Teaching and learning practices in higher education are undergoing a number of changes that have significant implications for the nature of students' learning experiences in classroom settings. In the last several decades, various modes of active learning have been introduced in efforts to enhance student engagement and deepen student pedagogical knowledge. Active learning is considered to be the connection of what knowledge we already possess to the knowledge we desire to acquire. The ultimate goal in active learning is to balance personal motivation for self-fulfillment with group capacities so that we are able to make high impact contributions to the world. This chapter examines instructors' understanding of active learning strategies and the benefits of implementing these strategies in classroom settings. The information presented focuses on forms, methods, and models of the active learning process and is meant to raise interest and awareness on the importance of students' active participation in their learning process.