Action Learning - by Melinda Crum

Action Learning  

What is ACTion Learning? 

Action Learning also called active learning is student-centered through participation, experiments, and reflections. Active learning encourages the students to participate and act, while the teacher takes on more of a facilitator role. The role of the teacher is to assist students to construct their knowledge about a subject through higher-order thinking tasks such as analysis, synthesis, and evaluation.  

Image from: http://plpnetwork.com/2015/03/10/shift-active-learning-technology-answer/

Family Tree 

Active learning stems from the constructivist theory.  This theory focuses on the role of the learner in making meaning and constructing understanding. (Harasim, pg. 68)

Action learning comes from the work of Professor Reginald Revans out of The University of Cambridge. 

Action Learning is L = P + Q + R

L = Learning

P = Programmed knowledge

Q = Questioning insight - using both open and closed questions

R = Reflection

Image from: http://www.joshuabhengu.com/action_learning.html

Basic Principles

According to Confucius, I hear and I forget ; I see and I remember ; I do and I understand.

Learning is happening through a student-centered approach. Reflection plays a large role in active learning. "Reflection is a meaning-making process that moves a learner from one experience into the next for deeper understanding of its relationships with and connections to other experiences and ideas." (Rogers, pg. 845)

Action learning is solving real world problems in a collaborative approach. Through deeper questioning students are able to reflect on the learning.  Through reflection students are able to discuss what they are doing and therefore understand how their understanding is changing. (Harasim, pg. 69)

Examples of Active Learning 

There are many ways in which a teacher can promote active learning in the classroom. Here are just a few examples:

1. Teacher asks students questions during reading a text. Students respond with a clicker to answer the questions. Students are actively learning because they have to participate with their response to the questions being asked from the teacher. (Hattie, pg. 84)

2. Student-led conferences - students are actively sharing their learning at a parent conference that is actually student-led. These conferences are student-centered because the student is running the conference. Student-led conferences can be done as early as kindergarten through high school. 

 

http://www.edutopia.org/practice/student-led-conferences-empowerment-and-ownership

3.  Call Backs - As the teacher is teaching he/she asks the students to repeat certain words or phrases as the lesson is occurring to ensure students are tracking the learning. 

4. Teachers need to pause during a lesson to have students think-pair-share, draw a picture of the learning, and/or summarize the lesson. 

5. Appointments - Students make appointments with each other to discuss a particular topic, text, or question.

Examples of Action Learning

School leaders deal with problems at their site on a daily basis. Some problems may require teams to help create solutions. One example is if a school is wanting to develop a stronger bond between parents and the school community, an Action Learning team could be developed.

The steps for an Action Learning process are the following: 

1.  Clarify the objective of the Action Learning group.
2.  A principal or coach would set up the teams to analyze the problem.
3. Analyze the issue and identify actions for resolving them.
4. The problem is presented to the group.
5. Reframe the problem by having a series of questions asked by the group.
6. Determine the goals.
7. Develop action strategies.
8. Take action - the group works as a whole and as individual members to collect information.
9. Repeat the cycle of learning and action until the problem is resolved.
10. Capturing the learning.
(Radka, A. n.d.)

Related Websites:

Active learning - IDEA offers ideas 

http://ideaedu.org/wp-content/uploads/2014/11/paperidea_53.pdf

Expeditionary Learning - explains various protocols for active learning strategies

https://www.engageny.org/sites/default/files/resource/attachments/appendix_protocols_and_resources.pdf

Kagan Structures is all about active engagement in the classroom. Many of the stratgies are simple, yet powerful for getting students actively invloved in the learning. 
http://www.kaganonline.com/free_articles/dr_spencer_kagan/281/Kagan-Structures-A-Miracle-of-Active-Engagement

Quantum Learning - offers courses in how to get students actively engaged in the learning process by collaboratively teaching you current initiatives and creating a highly engaged learning environment using higher-order thinking and retention skills.
http://www.quantumlearning.com/ 

 

References

Given, B. & DePorter, B. (2015). Excellence in teaching and learning: The quantum learning 
    system. Oceanside: Learning Forum Publications.
 

Harasim, L. (2012). Learning theory and online technologies. New York: Routledge.

Hattie, J. (2012).  Visible learning for teachers: Maximizing impact on learning. New York:  
      Routledge.

Pappas, C. (2014, December 18). The quintessential of the action learning model. [website].
    Retrieved from: https://elearningindustry.com/action-learning-model

Radka, A. (n.d.) Action learning revans [website]. Retrieved from http://www.12manage.com
     /methods_revans_action_learning.html

Rodgers, C. (2002). Defining reflection: Another look at John Dewey and reflective  
     thinking. Teachers College Record, 4 (4), 845.

Shanahan, T. (2016, June 11). Shanahan on literacy: Think-pair-share in reading instruction: Is it  

     effective? [blog]. Retrieved from http://www.shanahanonliteracy.com/