"Active learning” is a broad term that describes instructional strategies designed to shift the act of learning from the instructor to the students. Rather than treating students as passive recipients of information (what Paulo Freire referred to as “empty vessels” in 1970), active learning positions students as active participants in the construction of their own knowledge.
This approach is rooted in Constructivist learning theories, which emphasize how prior knowledge, personal experiences, and environmental contexts (such as home, academic, professional, and social settings) shape how students engage with new material. When students make meaningful connections between existing and new knowledge, deeper understanding and long-term retention are more likely.
In a university setting, active learning can take many forms depending on your discipline, class size, and course goals. Here are a few practical examples across a variety of fields:
Regardless of discipline, active learning strategies encourage students to engage not just intellectually, but also emotionally and socially with the content (and with each other).
Active learning supports assessment methods that are as dynamic as the learning process itself. Beyond traditional exams and essays, consider offering alternatives that allow students to demonstrate what they’ve learned in ways that resonate with their individual learning paths:
These kinds of assessments often feel more relevant to students and provide a richer view of their understanding.
10 Key Points About Active Learning - If active learning seems overwhelming, this Inside Higher Ed article pulls together some tips for not getting overwhelmed.
How to Teach in Active Learning Spaces - this Podcast episode from the Teaching in Higher Ed podcast will help you get familiar with the idea of orienting the space of active learning.
K Patricia Cross Academy - This resource has several different strategies you can try, along with instructor’s guides for helping you implement them.
Deep Dives
Concept Mapping tools allow students to generate maps that show relationships among ideas or concepts. Concept maps might depict cause and effect, steps in a process, hierarchical structures, or attributes. Concept mapping supports critical thinking because it allows students to visualize relationships. Many online tools are free (with limited features) and allow authors to work collaboratively.
Not seeing what you need? Want to brainstorm strategies tailored to your course or discipline? Reach out to an instructional designer at CETI (Center for Excellence in Teaching and Innovation). We’re always happy to collaborate with you one-on-one.
And don't forget to check our events page to find some upcoming workshops and institutes that might pique your interest.
