TRACKING EXPERIENTIAL ACTIVE LEARNING

This is the title of research in which a coworker (Heather Farmer) and I are currently involved. Beginning with 12 “tested and true” Active Learning Practices (ALP) we analyze student perspectives on how such ALP are being implemented in-class, online, and also within social networks. Key considerations include how social networking practices might influence and improve the online classroom – specifically identifying systems surrounding the 12 ALP in order to develop concrete methodologies and approaches towards achieving the greatest benefit from an online learning environment.  With an applied approach to theoretical research our goal is to contribute to the teaching community and better understand the patterns and processes in ALPs with the application of developing strategies for integrating technologies in eALP contexts.

Allowing technology to “drive” teaching and learning would be ineffective – ignoring technology would be inefficient. Our ongoing research goal is to attain insights into the way people use technology and how it might best be applied in teaching and learning by surveying subjects on their experiences and perceptions as they relate to active learning strategies in both face-to-face and online environments. Ultimately, we hope to better understand how technology has influenced human social interactions and what this may mean to teachers and learners with regards to the implementation of ALP in the online classroom.