At Case Western Reserve, pushing teaching and learning past their usual bounds is critical. EDUCAUSE Review reinforced this commitment by publishing a key paper on the efforts taken at Case Western Reserve to foster a culture of active learning.
The Information Technology Services (ITS) academic technologies team authored the study, which details the positive experiences reported by students who participated in courses instructed by Active Learning Fellows. Primary points of the paper include:
- Although related research is in its infancy, active learning approaches have increased in popularity as universities seek to help their students more fully engage in the learning process.
- Case Western Reserve launched an active learning initiative to help faculty use active learning approaches in classrooms optimized for collaborative learning.
- Twelve faculty fellows each redesigned a course that took advantage of active learning methods and technologies, including movable computer displays, flexible furniture and shared writing surfaces.
- Student surveys and focus groups indicate that both teachers and learners benefit from and appreciate the active learning experience.
Read the paper in its entirety at educause.edu/ero/article/active-learning-case-western-university.
More information about the university’s active learning initiative is available at case.edu/its/academic-technology/initiatives/active-learning/.