Design and development of active learning for large classes

Abstract

The design of an active learning program involves two components. Firstly, active learning is defined as “anything that involves students doing things and thinking about the things they are doing” and the lecturer now becomes “less an imparter of knowledge and more a designer and facilitator of learning experiences and opportunities”. Learning may also be enhanced through social interaction. Secondly, the challenges of the large classroom, namely identifying cost-effective ways of providing feedback to students and engaging students in active discussion. Peer Instruction (PI) is used as the learning pedagogy to implement the active learning program. PI involves a short lecture followed by a ConcepTest which delves into the concept taught. This culminated in the construction of an instructional design for two pilot runs as well as a web application which would be used as part of the lessons.