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What Is Active Learning (and Why Does It Matter at NKU)?

Professor facing a class full of students

"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.

 

What Does Active Learning Look Like in Higher Education?

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:

A professor leaning in to talk with students as they write
  • Humanities: Students might analyze primary source documents collaboratively, stage mock debates on historical or philosophical issues, or write a response to an author’s work in the same style or format to explore literary themes from multiple perspectives.
  • STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics): Instructors can use inquiry-based lab experiments, peer instruction through concept tests, or data analysis projects where students interpret real-world datasets to draw conclusions.
  • Computer Science: Students could participate in live coding sessions, work in teams to debug programs, or design mini-apps that demonstrate algorithmic concepts. Pair programming and code reviews are also excellent for fostering active engagement.
  • Healthcare: Case-based learning, role-playing patient interactions, and simulation labs are powerful tools for applying clinical knowledge. Students can also reflect on ethical dilemmas in healthcare or collaborate on care planning scenarios.

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).

Rethinking Assessment Through an Active Learning Lens

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:

  • Infographics that visually synthesize complex concepts
  • Short videos or podcasts explaining a key topic or process
  • Interactive websites that compile and present research
  • Curated portfolios showcasing ongoing learning and reflection

These kinds of assessments often feel more relevant to students and provide a richer view of their understanding.

Get Started

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. 

Book an appointment with us! 

And don't forget to check our events page to find some upcoming workshops and institutes that might pique your interest.