Active learning techniques are also helpful for you, because they deemphasize lecture. You can use discussion questions and group exercises, as well as problem-posing and -solving sessions, to get your lecture points across in a meaningful and memorable way. How do you begin using active learning techniques in the classroom? Perhaps the easiest way is to ask reflective questions--not yes or no questions, but those that require students to think (e.g., What would you do in this particular situation? How would you approach solving this problem?). Reflective questions are difficult, so be prepared to wait for an answer (at least 20 to 30 seconds). You might also ask students to write about the question first for 3 to 5 minutes, then solicit their responses. The benefit of asking students to consider the question in writing is that they will have time to think through their response and feel more comfortable discussing their views without fear of forgetting their point. To extend active learning beyond the classroom, ask students to do out-of-class library and Internet-based research to respond to questions that you've posed. Asking students to work with the course content and determine how it fits with their experiences enables them to learn in their own way, making the material personally meaningful, which is at the heart of active learning.
**This article first appeared in Science's Next Wave
