Active learning is a method of learning in which the student is actively or experimentally involved. It is important because it pushes the students to think and discuss about the topic at hand at every step. The memory of visual representation lasts longer than theoretical memory. One other advantage is that the coach/teacher receives an immediate feedback which helps to understand the situation and take the next step accordingly.
From my experience as a student, I grasped topics better which were engaging me physically and not just mentally. This is why when we sit together for our sessions, we try and share every topic with the help of an activity. Be it miniature landfill activity, spill spread activity, making a stationary waste box or a simple newspaper bag. We also come to a conclusion that documentaries are what makes a developing mind realize that its not a story but the actual reality. It is fascinating as a student to compare our daily everyday visuals to something so big in nature, along with understanding the depth of the situation or making a simple box collecting used pens, refilling them and redistributing it amongst themselves. As Doris Lessing says, “That is what learning is. You suddenly understand something you’ve understood all your life, but in a new way.”
The big eyes full of fascination, the serious look of wonder and then an intense thoughtful expression all in a matter of seconds is what helps us to really understand the topic/situation and provides one with better situation control ideas. This is not only helping us academically but it helps us to grow and learn as a person to understand our personal situations better and search for appropriate solutions.
Concepts like leadership, ecology, current environmental status are all very intense and can reach one’s saturation point easily, if not approached in a certain manner. Active learning is what has helped us tackle the situation in a more appropriate manner and has also provided us with better and positive feedbacks from the students.
“Tell me and I forget, teach me and I may remember, involve me and I learn.” – Benjamin Franklin
