{"id":16357,"date":"2020-11-17T09:45:28","date_gmt":"2020-11-17T14:45:28","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/news.elearninginside.com\/?p=16357"},"modified":"2020-11-17T09:51:09","modified_gmt":"2020-11-17T14:51:09","slug":"active-learning-can-close-the-achievement-gap","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/news.elearninginside.com\/active-learning-can-close-the-achievement-gap\/","title":{"rendered":"Active Learning Can Close the Achievement Gap"},"content":{"rendered":"

Providing equity and access to high-quality STEM and Computer Science education is a goal shared by many<\/a>. For years policymakers and the education community have attempted to sever the relationship between students\u2019 learning and their socioeconomic background. Unfortunately, thus far,\u00a0the data<\/a>\u00a0shows these interventions have been unable to break the link between socioeconomic status and achievement. Even still, this mission stands.<\/p>\n

Today, we are met with mounting\u00a0challenges\u00a0which include the\u00a0devastating\u00a0effects brought on by COVID-19<\/a>. Implementing active learning is a significant step and proven strategy towards reaching the goal of closing the achievement gap.<\/p>\n

What Is Active Learning?<\/h2>\n

In classrooms that utilize active learning, students are engaging with information along with their teacher and their peers<\/a>. Engaging with information includes connecting new information with prior knowledge via a variety of methods such as reading, writing, discussing, explaining, and problem-solving.\u00a0 Students are active participants, as opposed to passive recipients, in classrooms that feature active learning.<\/p>\n

However, the implementation of active learning is currently still the exception. Students responding to questions from their teachers, by some accounts<\/a>, only take up five percent of classroom time. Less than one percent of that time is associated with open-ended questions or responses.<\/p>\n

Tools and Training for Active Learning<\/h2>\n

Teachers and students both enjoy working in classrooms where there is high engagement.\u00a0 However, without the correct tools and resources, implementing active learning can be difficult.\u00a0 If students feel that they cannot be successful with an activity, they will withdraw. Therefore, it is important that active learning is framed around activities in which students can immediately experience success \u2014 activities with\u00a0a low barrier of entry but a high ceiling<\/a>. The high ceiling is important.\u00a0 If the task is too easy and students can immediately get the answer, then students are not provided with the opportunity to construct their own understanding.<\/p>\n

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"students in the active classroom learn more, but they feel like they learn less…this negative correlation is caused in part by the increased cognitive effort required during active learning" #learning<\/a> https:\/\/t.co\/hlvp93PW8o<\/a><\/p>\n

— Neil Mosley (@neilmosley5) November 9, 2020<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n