Preparing the Environment for Active Learning:
examples from the large enrollment classroom.
Katie Winsett, PhD
Biology Department
kewinsett@usi.edu
“An important part of our job as teachers is
equipping as many of our students as possible
with high-level problem-solving and thinking skills,
including critical and creative thinking.
If there is a broad agreement about anything in
educational research, it’s that well-implemented
learner-centered instruction is much more
effective than traditional lecture-based instruction
at promoting those skills.”
Richard Felder, Chemical Engineering Education 45 (2011).
Thoughts from experience and the literature
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Upfront preparation
 The
syllabus
 Blackboard
 Detailed directions
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
Organized chaos
Introductions
Thoughts from experience and the literature


Upfront preparation
Organized chaos
 Given
the right tools, students will talk about the content
 Be very clear on how this works.
 Consciously address the environment

Introductions
Thoughts from experience and the literature



Upfront preparation
Organized chaos
Introductions
 They
don’t know each other
 Consciously address this
Final thoughts



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
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There will be resistance.
Things will not go as planned.
Students will learn.
Be idealistic about it; the literature supports your
effort.
Be prepared.
Remind yourself why you do it.
 Reread
student reflective assignments
 John Hunter: The World Peace Game