1. Active Learning – the body of the lesson
Active learning is learning that engages and challenges children and young people’s thinking using real-life and imaginary situations. It takes full advantage of the opportunities for learning presented by:
Spontaneous learning
Planned purposeful learning
Investigating and exploring
Events and life experiences
Focused learning and teaching

2. What does it look like? It challenges learning It engages learners
It is child centred
It builds upon previous experiences
It provides opportunities for fun/enjoyment
The learner can plan and evaluate learning (Aifl strategies)
It involves higher order thinking skills, for example, analysis, synthesis, creation, evaluation
It can be collaborative and involve co-operative learning (active learning with a social and academic goal)

3. Graffiti – a group activity
In groups of 4 (if possible).
Divide paper into 4 boxes.
Each person writes down as many active learning activities as they can think of that they use in their own lessons.
Share with each other once finished and find out which are the most popular.
Have you learned any new strategies to try?

4. 4 corners Look at the four pictures around the room.
Which one would you choose to symbolise where you are in your practice with Active Learning?
Stand next to the picture you would choose.
Choose a partner and explain why.

5. Final points 1 Remember:
Active learning does not have to mean moving around the room!
Here are some final strategies people use:
Think, Pair, Share
Ordering text
Using writing frames to create new work
Finding out using resources, dictionary ICT etc
Ball throwing games
Mastermind
Debate
Learners leading parts of a lesson/teaching peers

6. Final points 2 Peer assessment Mini-white boards Adapting role plays
Reading and explaining parts of a novel
Making things, following experiments
Creating and answering questions
Co-operative learning in groups
Co-operative learning whole class building
Reflecting on skills used to complete and activity and evaluating the process
AND MANY MORE………………………………!
Active learning aids metacognition, helping learners to understand how to learn and develop skills for life, work and
life-long learning.