Facilitating Active Learning among Adult Learners

Abstract

A learner-centric approach to learning is widely known as active learning. This approach helps learners to develop higher order thinking skills and therefore facilitates deep learning. On the other hand, passive learning approach expects learners to receive information from the professor passively without much involvement in the learning process. This chapter aims to lead the readers to appreciate the role of active learning in positively influencing the process of learning among adult learners. The chapter begins by setting the context through a review of relevant literature on active learning. The subsequent discussions are structured around the four approaches to achieve active learning, namely, experiential learning, problem-based learning, participative learning, and cooperative learning. The discussions provide insights on how technological intervention is shaping each of these four approaches to facilitate active learning. While the chapter does not aim to present an exhaustive list of all possible technological interventions, the idea is to stimulate further thoughts on new possibilities in this direction. The chapter also discusses trends like the proliferation of Web 2.0 technologies, computing devices becoming increasingly portable, popularity of MOOCs, and eLearning that have the potential to positively influence active learning among adult learners.