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Active Learning

 

Explanations > Learning Theory > Active Learning

Theory | Discussion | So what

 

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
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

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.

Also give strong and honest feedback that is given in a way that the person is able to accept and use to improve.

See also

Dale E. 1969. Cone of experience, in Educational Media: Theory into Practice. Wiman RV (ed). Charles Merrill: Columbus, Ohio

Joyce B and B Showers. 1981. Transfer of training: the contributions of coaching. Journal of Education 163(2): 163–172.

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Site Menu

| Home | Top | Quick Links | Settings |

Main sections: | Disciplines | Techniques | Principles | Explanations | Theories |

Other sections: | Blog! | Quotes | Guest articles | Analysis | Books | Help |

More pages: | Contact | Caveat | About | Students | Webmasters | Awards | Guestbook | Feedback | Sitemap | Changes |

Settings: | Computer layout | Mobile layout | Small font | Medium font | Large font | Translate |

 

 

Please help and share:

 

Quick links

Disciplines

* Argument
* Brand management
* Change Management
* Coaching
* Communication
* Counseling
* Game Design
* Human Resources
* Job-finding
* Leadership
* Marketing
* Politics
* Propaganda
* Rhetoric
* Negotiation
* Psychoanalysis
* Sales
* Sociology
* Storytelling
* Teaching
* Warfare
* Workplace design

Techniques

* Assertiveness
* Body language
* Change techniques
* Closing techniques
* Conversation
* Confidence tricks
* Conversion
* Creative techniques
* General techniques
* Happiness
* Hypnotism
* Interrogation
* Language
* Listening
* Negotiation tactics
* Objection handling
* Propaganda
* Problem-solving
* Public speaking
* Questioning
* Using repetition
* Resisting persuasion
* Self-development
* Sequential requests
* Storytelling
* Stress Management
* Tipping
* Using humor
* Willpower

Principles

+ Principles

Explanations

* Behaviors
* Beliefs
* Brain stuff
* Conditioning
* Coping Mechanisms
* Critical Theory
* Culture
* Decisions
* Emotions
* Evolution
* Gender
* Games
* Groups
* Habit
* Identity
* Learning
* Meaning
* Memory
* Motivation
* Models
* Needs
* Personality
* Power
* Preferences
* Research
* Relationships
* SIFT Model
* Social Research
* Stress
* Trust
* Values

Theories

* Alphabetic list
* Theory types

And

About
Guest Articles
Blog!
Books
Changes
Contact
Guestbook
Quotes
Students
Webmasters

 

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© Changing Works 2002-
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