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Active Learning in a Passive Learning World Other than sleeping, learning sure seems like the ultimate passive activity doesn’t it? After all, it usually involves little or no physical activity. More often than not, students sit at their workspace or in a classroom, verbally or visually receiving information from a textbook or a teacher. That’s not very active. Can learning be active? In the early 20th century, learning was all about sitting quietly at a desk, passively accepting information from a teacher or textbook. Then a psychologist named Jean Piaget (pi-yah-zhey) proposed something pretty radical. He proposed that a mind that actively questions, explores, and assesses information as it learns, learns more deeply and more meaningfully. Piaget believed that the student who searches for and actively constructs an answer, rather than simply accepting the answer handed to them, is a better learner. Piaget called this active learning theory constructivism : Active learners take in information and experiences, compare them to previous ideas and experiences, add to or alter beliefs, and construct a personal base of knowledge . In the next few chapters, you’ll explore active learning . It’s not about running around your classroom – it’s about engaging your mind and heart in learning.
CHAPTER 12
How shocking! I shall faint.
Darling, Piaget wants our children to think for themselves!
PRODUCT PREVIEW
Learning Goals By the end of this chapter you will be able to: 1. Define constructivism. 2. Compare the traits of active vs. passive learners. 3. Determine whether you are an active learner.
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