TLA 2007 Conference Notes, Day 1: Session on Active Learning

Session: Adrian "AJ" Johnson, "Walk the Talk: Active Learning for Student Success."

(Note: Find the presentation PowerPoint and and the handouts from the presentation here.)

(This was a very interesting presentation with a very engaging speaker. However, at times I got the impression this was preaching to the choir; in other words, the people I think should be listening to this were not here.)

Some observations and thoughts:

• The presenter asked the audience to define active learning before giving a definition.
  
• He also gave us time to write a bit on the writing prompt about active learning.
• Informal polls can be a nice and quick form of assessment.
  
• Remember that learning is messy and natural (or, as I say, "embrace the chaos.")
• Additional examples of challenges when it comes to implementing active learning, given by the audience during a brainstorm:
  
• discipline
• professor expectations (or lack thereof).
  
• disaster, such as Internet goes down.
  
• active learning takes extra planning time.
• The presenter remarked that he is lucky to be in a library that actually puts requirements on professors to be prepared when it comes to library instruction. (That is something I have mentioned at least once or twice here, but under the "we have to keep the faculty happy" syndrome, it is something not likely to happen)
• Remember to create your active learning activities based on outcomes. What will the students get out of it?
  
• Remember to practice as well. Try things out yourself (do dry runs), then try with a class. Adjust as needed.