Active learning

Explanations > Learning Theory > Active learning

Theory

We can learn by reading, listening and having experiences. The best way for most people is often a combination, but with a strong active component, as the tables below show. Note also how the second table indicates how a strong follow-up with practice, feedback and coaching strengthens learning even more.

Learning Recall Related to Type of Presentation

Presentation	Ability to Recall
Presentation	after 3 hours	after 3 days
Spoken lecture	25%	10-20%
Written (reading)	72%	10%
Visual and verbal (illustrated lecture)	80%	65%
Participatory (role plays, case studies, practice)	90%	70%

Adapted from: Dale 1969.

Table 2. Transfer of Learning

Training Components	Skills Attained	Transfer to Job
Theory +	10-20%	5-10%
Demonstration +	30-35%	5-10%
Practice +	60-70%	5-10%
Feedback +	70-80%	10-20%
Coaching +	80-90%	80-90%

Adapted from: Joyce and Showers 1981.

Discussion

“What I hear, I forget;
What I see, I remember;
What I do, I understand.”

– Old Chinese proverb, sometimes attributed to Confucius

A related comment from Bobbi DiPorter's 'Quantum Learning' is that we learn:

10% of what we read
20% of what we hear
30% of what we see
50% of what we see and hear
70% of what we say
90% of what we say and do

Active learning engages the whole person, not just the intellectual mind. When people try to do things and fail or succeed, emotions are triggered, and these have a significant effect on how we remember.

So when you are teaching or persuading someone, and particularly if you want them to remember things, get them actively involved.

So what?

When you are developing training, ensure there are plenty of practical activities alongside just enough theory for them to integrate the learning with their existing schema.