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Active Learning - How to Connect with Students Today

 Today’s Learners…..

Today’s students and the way they learn is different from the way their parents and grandparents were taught and learned. Today's students prefer to be creative, interactive and have hands-on experiences. They don’t value traditional educational methods, such as  listening to lectures, reading, and note taking. 

Collaborating: Allowing students to achieve better

Image Source: ClearPNG


So the way we as teachers teach needs to change so that we engage our students and spark that fire for learning. One of the methods used is Active Learning. 


Active Learning…..

Just like the name implies this is a method of learning where students are actively involved in the learning process. There are different levels and types of active learning, it all depends on the students' involvement.  

Image Source: CourseSource


A blog that I reviewed for active learning ideas was QR Mysteries. When looking at the title this drew me in and had me intrigued. This blog explores the use of QR codes in the classroom to promote active learning and to have students be engaged in the learning process. The students used the QR codes to gather missing information regarding famous quotes that had missing pieces. The QR codes helped them decode and find the “mystery” word. This activity also included students learning how to make their own personal quotes and QR codes. They then presented their own quotes with missing parts and included a QR code to share information with the class to help figure out what their missing parts of their quote were.  

Source Image: GIFY


After reviewing the activity I created a Padlet that summarized the activities and my thoughts of how well it was incorporated into active learning. 


My thoughts on the Blog Post:  QR Code Mysteries

Image Source: Blogger Author 


Active Learning in the Art Room….. 

My art room just by nature is very hands on. Students often are watching demo videos or me demonstrating a step and that they get to try to create their masterpieces.  However I try to incorporate times to allow them to collaborate and incorporate more active learning opportunities. 


One of my favorites and I am sure one of my students is edible color wheels. While mixing paint to explore color combinations is fun I find this a bit more delicious. 

Students are grouped into teams, they are given 12 wafer cookies, 12 empty cups and 3 colors of food coloring in the primary colors. The teams go the class Schoology page then watch and research how the primary colors mix together to make new colors. They then take the information they learned and mix the colors together to match each spot on the color wheel.  To display their art they arrange  them in the color wheel order.  But before they devour their tasty color wheel they need to have it approved. Unfortunately, due to COVID I haven’t done this lesson in a few years.  


Unfortunately, I don’t have photo, this is another teacher’s photo

Image Source: Blog Art One


I find that this activity allows students to connect with a basic concept of color mixing and color theory in a  tangible way and creates a positive connection that allows my students to learn through doing and retaining the information. I know that I learn best by doing and I think that teachers today need incorporate active learning as that is how the majority of students learn now a days. However, I think that it is important to have a balance and that they do learn how to take notes and listen because in the real world these are skills that are needed.   


Additional Sources: 

Chromebooks: Making and using QR Codes 


Art Education and QR Codes 


8 Fun Ways to incorporate QR Codes


Cited Sources: 

Art One, (2015, Sept. 26) The Cookie Color Wheel Retrieved on Sept. 22, 2022 from https://missbryanart1.weebly.com/blog/the-cookie-color-wheel


The Art of Education University. (2018, Nov. 03)  The Ultimate Guide to Using QR Codes in the Art Room Retrieved on Sept. 22, 2022 from https://theartofeducation.edu/2014/04/02/the-ultimate-guide-to-using-qr-codes-in-the-art-room/



Active Learning | Center for Educational Innovation. Active Learning Retrieved on Sept. 22, 2022 from https://cei.umn.edu/teaching-resources/active-learning



The Chromebook Classroom. (2021,Nov. 07) Create and Scan a QR code with your Chromebook Retrieved on Sept. 22. 2022 from https://www.chrmbook.com/chromebok-qr-code/#:~:text=The%20built%2Din%20camera%20app,to%20download%20or%20install%20anything!


Clearpng.com. School Background Design - Unlimited Download. Cleanpng.com. Retrieved on Sept. 22 2022 from https://www.cleanpng.com/png-active-learning-education-informal-learning-profes-5523231/



GIPHY. (2022, Feb. 14) Mobile Phone Scan GIF by Storymaker - Find & Share on GIPHY Retrieved on Sept. 22, 2022 from https://giphy.com/gifs/storymaker-agency-mobile-qr-code-devices-taVCVuunNzQjBKTrYn



Padlet. (2022, Sept. 22) QR Codes Mysteries Retrieved on Sept. 22, 2022 from https://padlet.com/kandersonhilton/wpxm9t9vzp7cmuxd



QUBES. (2022, Jan. 16)  An Active Learning Workshop to Teach Active Learning Strategies Retrieved on Sept 22, 2022 from https://qubeshub.org/community/groups/coursesource/publications?id=2777&tab_active=about&v=1



We Are Teachers. (2017, July 17) 8 Ways I Make Learning Fun by Using QR Codes in the Classroom  Retrieved on Sept. 22, 2022 from: https://www.weareteachers.com/qr-codes-in-the-classroom/



Zumpano.Nicole (2013, Sept. 12) QR Code Mysteries Retrieved on Sept. 22, 2022 from http://zumpanotechlab.blogspot.com/2013/02/qr-code-mysteries.html
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Comments

  1. Molly FeehanSeptember 23, 2022 at 5:38 AM

    Hi Kristen! I love using QR codes in the classroom- especially if your school provides ipads or chromebooks. My students loved doing direct drawings during Covid and I have continued it throughout the school year since. One way you could use QR codes is for early finishers to be able to scan a code to see what direct drawing students could use that week!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Kristen HiltonSeptember 25, 2022 at 5:36 AM

      Molly,
      Thanks for reading my blog ! I love that your students liked the directed drawing lessons and thank you for the QR code suggestion. I might just try that for a early finisher activity.

      Delete
  2. NMZumpanoSeptember 25, 2022 at 10:43 AM

    Your color wheel activity sounds memorable! Hopefully you'll get to implement this again soon for students.

    ReplyDelete

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