Designing Instruction

Strategies for Active Learning Online http://www.icte.org/T01_Library/T01_245.pdf Student Skill Development vs Teacher Information Transmission Active Learning: - is not only an effective instructional strategy in the traditional learning environment, but also, it is effective in an online environment. - requires "intellectual effort, encouraging higher-order thinking (analysis, synthesis, evaluation)" and provides a means for the learner to assimilate, apply, and retain learning (Bonwell and Eison, 1991; Harasim, et al, 1997). - accommodates a variety of learning styles, promotes student achievement, enhances learner motivation, changes student attitudes, and basically, causes learners to learn more (Astin, 1985). - empowers students to take primary responsibility for their education (student-centered) (Warren, 1996), although requiring faculty to relinquish some control to the student to encourage their learning path (Gibson, 1998, p.79). - requires "intellectual effort, encouraging higher-order thinking (analysis, synthesis, evaluation) Strategies promoting active learning are superior to passive learning (lectures) in promoting the development of student's skills in thinking and writing (Bonwell and Eison, 1991, iii). When developing active learning strategies for an online environment, the instructor/designer should first consider sound design practices including, but not limited to: assessing the learners, knowing the context and environment in which learners will be operating, knowing instructional tools and techniques for delivery, developing supporting strategies in the form of directions and resources, incorporating assessment of learning outcomes and course design, and designing with active engagement in mind (Mantyla, 1999). Starting from a basic instructional design model and continuing good teaching practices are important because according to Moore and Kearsley, "active learning is pr