We owe David Horsburgh, the visionary educationist for introducing the innovative active learning method. This revolutionary method brought a paradigm shift in the modern education landscape. It’s no doubt that so many queries have been running through your mind about activity based learning. As we go through this blog, we will glance over the importance of activity-based learning and its advantages.

What Is Activity-Based Learning    

Activity-based learning which is a teaching methodology aims to make learning more engaging and interesting. Thus, it incorporates various activities and interactive tools in teaching and learning. As a result, it delivers the subject matter effectively.    

Further, in activity-based learning, educators assume the role of a mentor who can facilitate, guide, and inspire the students. Thus, the teacher makes her students active participants in learning.  Subsequently, students cultivate the quality of independent learning. 

Why Activity-Based Learning Is Important?

Activity-based learning has been playing a significant role in the evolving dynamics of modern education. In an ecosystem where learning is entwined with technology-driven learning strategies, imparting education through activities holds immense significance. The proliferation of technology demands manpower that has practical knowledge and inquisitiveness which are the cornerstones of the global learning landscape.

Moreover, modern education necessitates the use of interactive tools to impart knowledge the world demands. Activity-based learning aligns with this objective by facilitating active participation. Thus, the adoption of activity-based learning methods equips students to face the challenges of the modern world that go beyond the confines of textbooks. 

What changes does activity-based learning bring about in students’ approach to learning? 

In contrast to the conventional teaching methods where students are merely passive receptors, activity-based teaching ignites students’ enthusiasm in the following ways.

 They engage and actively participate

The projects, experiments, and all other hands-on experiences are curated to kindle the interest and involvement of the students. It ignites curious minds and they engage actively in the learning process.

 They experiment and explore

Defying the standardized form of teaching, activity-based learning arranges avenues for experimentation. In light of this, students learn to explore various solutions to a problem. Accordingly, it explores skills like analytical thinking and out-of-the-box thinking.

They express

Plunging deep into the subject matter with an active involvement creates an expressive mind. Similarly, active engagement gives them an authoritative voice that helps them to articulate confidently. It kindles the qualities like communication skills and confidence.

Interactive Tools Involved in Activity-Based Learning

Activity-based learning explores and employs diverse tools to bring active participation. Some of them include:

 

•  Hands-on experiments. It is effective in understanding complex theories. Through real-world applications, students gain insights into various difficult concepts. It is particularly helpful for subjects like science and mathematics.
•  Case studies:  Exploring different real-life case studies, students learn to apply theoretical knowledge. This method is very crucial for humanities subjects like law, business, and social sciences.
•  Simulations: Simulations refer to virtual environments that we use to replicate or mimic real-world scenarios. Activity-based learning opens platforms for experimental learning by utilizing simulations. Subsequently, students get an immersive experience that takes them to places they cannot visit physically.
•  Project-based learning: Projects demand research, analysis, focus, presentation skills, etc. Therefore, students place themselves in the driver’s seat. It kindles a sense of responsibility and ownership. Similarly, by indulging in projects, students not only gain insights into the subject but also cultivate other essential skills.
•  Group discussions: It fosters peer learning. Students become receptive to diverse perspectives. It widens their knowledge horizons. Furthermore, it chisels the communication skills of students.

Advantages of Activity Based Learning

#1. Activity Based Learning Piques the Curiosity

 Activity-based learning goes beyond the confines of passive learning and textbooks. While engaging actively through interactive and hands-on methods, students start developing the curiosity to find the next step. This approach piques the curiosity to reach the next level.

#2. Prepares  for the Modern Workforce

Today’s fast-paced world demands talents that are innovative and adaptable. Activity-based learning equips students with innovative, and adaptable skills. It paves the way for learning that prepares students for the dynamic and competitive workforce. Hence, activity-based learning is inevitable in fostering a generation that can think and act innovative.

#3. It Is Self-Directed Learning

Activity-based learning fosters self-directed learning.  When students engage in hands-on learning, self-directed learning happens. It makes students active learners who seek and construct knowledge by themselves. Thus it shifts the emphasis from the teacher as the only repository of knowledge.

#4. Memory Retention

Activity-based learning demands the complete immersion of learners into the subject matter. It enhances memory retention. They engage in various activities that include hands-on experiences and interactive tasks. All these active engagements stimulate cognitive processes and senses. It results in memory consolidation. As a result, students can internalize the knowledge and apply it effectively as and when needed.

#5. Individuality Is Valued

Activity-based learning accommodates the uniqueness of every child. It recognizes the variability of the student’s abilities and skills. Hence, it provides various interactive tasks and experiments that are attuned to the diverse skills of students. Thus, the activities resonate with the uniqueness of the child. This tailor-made approach enables effective learning. As a result, it eliminates the pressure of following a predetermined timeline. Consequently, there emerges a supportive environment that centers around individual progress.  

#6. An Antidote to Attention Deficiency

Activity-based learning requires laser-focused attention. It helps the students to maintain attention and persistent presence. Thus it eliminates the issue of inattention that is often found in the classroom atmosphere. The dynamic of activities demands constant involvement of the learner. Gradually, students master the art of unwavering attention and remain focused on the task at hand.

#6. Enhanced Social Skills

Activity-based learning enhances social skills. The interactive learning methods bring avenues for collaborative experiences. Thus, they interact with peers and develop social skills like the capacity to listen, the ability to share, and the spirit of teamwork.

Similarly, goal-oriented teamwork nurtures the ability of problem-solving and infuses a  sense of responsibility. As a result of these multifaceted approaches, their interpersonal, and critical skills are enhanced. Eventually, it paves the way for personal and professional success.

This is how Asoka World School embraces activity-based learning

A child-centered learning atmosphere can be created only through Activity-based learning. Self-learning skill with interest in the subject is enhanced through this. An activity-oriented classroom transforms a passive recipient of information into an active learner of hands-on experiments. If children are provided with the opportunity to explore on their own and are provided with an optimum learning environment, then learning becomes more joyful and long-lasting.

Students learn language, science, mathematics, and real-life scenarios via activity-based learning

• Roleplay, talk shows, debates, seminars, and word games are a few activities to be mentioned in a Language classroom.
• A Science classroom will consist of experiments, real-life connections, a walk through nature, etc.
• Playing with numbers, visiting supermarkets, and daily routine calculations are a few activities in a Math classroom.
• Children going to the beach, banks, fire stations, police stations, and factory visits are a few more activities which give them a good exposure to learn new things.

An interesting Math classroom at our school will have the following activities

• Roman letters were learned by forming them using Matchsticks
• Making clocks to understand how to check time, and creating calendars to know the day & date are primary class activities.
• Warli art is connected to Math by drawing images using shapes.
• Introducing money saving by giving Piggy banks.
• Fractions to create peacocks & other birds.
• Learning types of angles through origami activities.
• Room decor pieces made using shapes.
• Easy craft ways to learn Basic Operations of Mathematics.
• PPT presentations on Math experts.

 The result of all the activities would help them identify the Math applications in daily life.

When the intricate concept of projectile motion is made easy through cricket.

 Grade 11 students play cricket not just for fun, but to learn the concept of Projectile Motion in Physics. The curved movement of a ball when hit by a bat is the projectile motion. Based on the speed of the throw, the direction of the ball is directed. Students learned this concept by playing a friendly cricket match.

Mathras made easy

It is always a task to learn Mathras in Hindi, Our primary class students learned it easily in a fun way with the letters of the alphabet on a stick matched with Mathras on the board. Students easily identified the sounds & registered the mathras easily.

Other innovative activity based learning activities

An easy connection to real life is made so that the curiosity of the child is answered. The little curious mind always thirsts for reasonable answers, such activity-based learning will quench their thirst. So we have incorporated the following two activities.

•       Internships for higher grades empower them to make decisions on their career-building.
•       Integrating special days with the subject topics also helps children to accept why concepts are learned.

Empowering students in decision-making skills, problem-solving skills, and analytical & reasoning skills should be the end result of an Activity-oriented classroom. Molding students to be powerful human beings to face the challenging world is the focus of Activity-based learning. Thinking out of the box & standing out unique from the crowd will be the asset of a child who is learning through activities. Happy Learning to Joyful Learners.

Let’s Wrap Up.

 Learning happens through the activities of the learners. It is no more a one-show where the teacher plays the protagonist. The modern education ecosystem has made activity-based learning the kernel of education. That is why the best CBSE schools in Kochi have embraced this revolutionary learning methodology.