This document discusses the importance of active learning and overcoming obstacles to its implementation. It provides quotes emphasizing that learning is not passive and students learn best when they are actively engaged. Some common obstacles to active learning include not being able to cover as much content, it taking too much preparation time, large class sizes, and students resisting non-lecture approaches. However, these obstacles can be overcome by finding other ways for students to learn content outside of class, using small group activities even in large classes, and helping students adjust to active learning being the new norm. The document encourages creating a storyboard to plan active learning lessons with clear objectives and content. It concludes by stating some active learning ideas can be implemented.

1. CLASSROOM
ENGAGEMENT
Through Active Learning and Storyboarding

2. FAVORITE QUOTES
• “Learning is not a spectator sport” (Chickering and Gamson, 1987, p.3)
• “Students learn what they care about and remember what they
understand” (Ericksen, 1984)
• “All genuine learning is active, not passive. It is a process of discovery in
which the student is the main agent, not the teacher” (Adler, 1982)
• “One must learn by doing the thing, for though you think you know it—you
have no certainty until you try” (Sophocles, 5th c. B.C.)
• “The amount of information retained by students declines substantially after
ten minutes” (Thomas, 1972)

3. OBSTACLES
• You cannot cover as much course content in the time available.
• Devise active learning strategies takes too much pre-class preparation.
• Large class sizes prevents implementation of active learning strategies.
• Most instructors think of themselves as being good lecturers.
• There is a lack of material or equipment needed to support active learning
approaches.
• Students resist non-lecture approaches.
• The fear of failure.

4. OVERCOMING OBSTACLES
• You cannot cover as much course content in the time available.
• Find other ways to ensure students learn course content (reading and writing assignments, classroom exams, etc.)
• Devise active learning strategies takes too much pre-class preparation.
• The amount of pre-class prep time needed to implement active learning strategies will be greater than that needed to
“recycle old lecture materials”.
• Large class sizes prevents implementation of active learning strategies.
• Small group activities is a great solution to large class sizes.
• Most instructors think of themselves as being good lecturers.
• Teaching does NOT equal Learning
• There is a lack of material or equipment needed to support active learning approaches.
• Forming pairs to evaluate material does not require equipment. Many classroom activities do not have to require
equipment.
• Students resist non-lecture approaches.
• Students are comfortable with passive learning as this is what they are use to. If active learning is present from the beginning,
students will begin to think it is the new norm and conform.
• The fear of failure.
• Being HUMAN. Recognize errors and communicate when they happen. Make light of it.

5. STORYBOARD
What do you want them to KNOW?
What do you want them to DO?
Outline the active learning process
with learning objectives.
Create a blueprint with content and
media.

7. ACTIVE LEARNING IDEAS