Developing Active Learning Exercises for Any Content

Presenter Information

Cynthia Dickerson, University of Louisville
Rachel M. Hopp, University of LouisvilleFollow
Jeffery A. Masters, University of LouisvilleFollow

Publication Date

2020

Abstract

Teaching and learning both should be fun, engaging, and impactful in lasting ways. Studies show that student engagement and information retention increases when students are immersed in active learning - hands-on usage of the information. Modern faculty members are seeking methods of incorporating active learning into their teaching, but may not know where to start when creating their own active learning materials. This paper will outline a process for creating new activities. Included are appendices full of creative active-learning formats (hot topics borrowed from primary and secondary education), as well as guidelines on when to use them that will make teaching and learning fun and practical. These media are also useful for developing transferable skills that students will bring into the workplace.

Author Biography

Cynthia Dickerson is an adjunct biology and science professor at the University of Louisville, Galen College of Nursing, and Bellarmine University. She received her PhD in Pharmaceutical Sciences from the University of Kentucky. Her research interests include the discovery and commercialization of natural pharmaceuticals and measurements of drug safety.

Rachel Hopp is an Assistant Professor in Biology at the University of Louisville. She has been at U of L since 2016. She primarily teaches Anatomy and Physiology I & II and Introductory Biology courses. Rachel also co-leads a multidisciplinary Faculty Learning Community (FLC) called Teaching Transformation through Active Learning at U of L. The FLC consists of twelve faculty members who have recently designed a Scholarship of Teaching and Learning (SoTL) project addressing student “buy-in” to active learning.

Jeffery Masters is an assistant professor at the University of Louisville. He is a science educator specializing in biology courses. He is heavily invested in undergraduate education, and is the faculty sponsor of the Beta Beta Beta Biological Honor Society chapter at the University of Louisville. His research interests include plant population and community ecology, with specific interests in the interactions of arthropods, plants, and disturbed habitats.

Creative Commons License

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License.