Active learning engages students directly in the learning process through hands-on activities, discussion with peers, and applying knowledge in meaningful ways. It has been shown to improve student retention of information compared to traditional lecture-based learning, with students remembering 90% of what they do. The TEAMS program utilizes active learning strategies through interdisciplinary instructional teams, technology integration, and rotating learning stations to improve student engagement and standardized test scores.

1. Active Learning
By Lissa Chaloff
March 2013

2. What is Active Learning?
 Students measurably engaged in instruction
 Hands-on learning
 Initial thought followed by applied knowledge
 Students share responsibility in process
 Small groups, teams, partners, and independent
modes

3. Edgar Dale’s Cone Experience (1946)
This cone is an illustrative “aid” to help explain hypothetical interrelationships between various audio-
visual modes of learning. Actual approaches should vary depending on each learner.
People generally remember the following:
10% of what they read
20% of what they hear
30% of what they see
50% of what they hear and see
70% of what they say and write
90% of what they do

4. Technology Enhancing Achievement in
Middle School (TEAMS)
 Interdisciplinary instructional teams
 Active learning as opposed to lecture mode
 Frequent use of technology
 Two week rotations with varying group sizes
 Learning stations established for each rotation
 Focus on technology, exploration and interaction

5. Interdisciplinary Instructional
Teams
 Teachers share common group of students
 Common planning time to map instructional
activities
 Connected multipurpose classrooms
 Teams reach academic and personal goals
 Positive effect on learning attitudes
 Correlation to improved standardized test results

6. Active Learning
 Strategies require “hands-on” learning activities
 Students discover or construct knowledge
themselves
 Students create solutions to problems
 Students apply skills in the process
 Students discuss and evaluate peer ideas
 Feedback in small group or team context

7. Technology
 Supports active learning on daily basis
 Supports independent inquiry
 Successfully integrated with cooperative
learning groups
 Educational software as instructional tool
 Use of web and web quests

8. Positives of Active Learning
 Venue for appropriate social interactions
 Feedback and insights shared with peers
 Accessible to diverse range of learning
styles
 Develops critical thinking skills
 Engages students to become active
learners