An educational process where students become vigorously engaged in assimilating the material being taught rather than absorbing it passively in a lecture format, for example; students ponder the answer to a question and then share their thoughts with whole class or by role playing; “each student takes the role of a person affected by an Earth science issue, such as a volcano or a polluted lake and studies the impacts of Earth science issues on human life and/or the effects of human activities on the world around us from the perspective of that person.”

Active learners try to gain knowledge of the topic and to understand the purpose and importance to the course. They make sure the content is well researched and the assignment is well-organized and edited for a good-quality final product.

How to be an active learner:

• Preview or read all assigned material before classes to make the lecture more meaningful.
• Attend all classes, listen attentively, and record class notes thoughtfully.
• Study and review class material regularly-at least two hours per night.
• Start studying for major tests/exams at least a week before.
• Complete all homework assignments whether you get marks for them or not.
• Make review a part of each study session.

Difference between Active learner and Passive learner:

Class lectures:

• Passive learners try to write down everything teacher has instructed. Mind wanders during the lecture.

• Active learner previews reading assignment before the class to become familiar with the topic. Listens actively to the lecture and decides what is important to write down

Textbook reading;

• Passive learner reads, gets bored and forgets what’s been read half way down the page.

• Active learner engages with the material when reading-underlines main ideas, makes margin notes, thinks up questions, creates mind maps, diagrams, and summaries of important details.

Studying:

• Passive learner rereads the textbook and recopies class notes.

• Active learner creates study sheets, makes flash cards, predicts test questions and finds answers, makes diagrams, mind maps, and outlines, etc. to organize study materials in a meaningful way.