Online Learning Spaces 3 Active Learning

Active Learning and Participation

When designing a learning space, plan for active learning by eliciting student participation, focusing on higher order thinking skills, and engaging in meaningful learning activities so that students learn new ideas and concepts. Because most people learn better by doing rather than by passively listening to a lecture, create a learning space with opportunities for students to construct content rather than just consume it. Effective designs should facilitate class interaction, transparency (seeing others engaged in work), and cooperative learning.

Formal Learning Spaces

Include space for different types of interactive activities such as:

• Discussions
• Debates
• Role-play
• Games
• Group work
• Online tours
• Virtual field trips
• Guest speakers
• Blogs
• Audio/Video creation
• Presentations
• Chats
• Case Studies
• It is also helpful to create separate learning spaces for group/collaborative work such as each group’s own discussion area, wiki, Google website, etc.

Informal Learning Spaces

Create spaces that promote informal learning from the students such as:

• Areas for social interaction
• Spontaneous meetings
• Impromptu conversations
• Learning Commons

Create a Learning Commons that allows students to find information and apply it in productive ways to deepen their understanding of the material and to construct knowledge in meaningful ways. Provide a Learning Commons that fosters collaboration, social interaction, and a sense of community. A Learning Commons is a place to find, use, and create information rather than just a reference area with tons of links.
Helpful resources to include in a Learn Commons are:

• Newspapers
• Periodicals
• Journals
• Magazines
• Websites
• Books
• Images
• Blogs
• Wikis
• Chat tools
• Video conferences

When creating a Learning Commons you could call it a different name such as Information Café with appealing colors and/or graphics so it looks inviting. As a foreign language teacher, I would have Spanish radio stations/music students could listen to. Other teachers could choose classical or music pertaining to what students are learning. The Learning commons can include different places that promote informal learning such as:

• Cafés
• Art display area
• Spaces for films
• Concerts venues
• Learning Centers

Incorporate Learning Centers with tutorials and extra practice for course material, software/hardware tutorials, and other tools that students may use with their coursework such as:

• Help Desk - Include a Virtual Help Desk where students may ask questions, receive help, and/or obtain contact information to receive help.
• Downloadable Information - Deliver information that students can takes with them when they are on-the-go. For example, you could create a podcast so students can review lectures, speeches, class discussions, notes, interviews, definitions, music, audio books, etc.