Designing Lessons for Active Learning
Designing Lessons for Active Learning
This course explores how educators can design learning experiences that move beyond passive content delivery toward active engagement, meaningful discussion, critical thinking, and lasting formation. Drawing from educational theory, cognitive science, and Christian perspectives on teaching and learning, the course introduces practical strategies for helping students organize knowledge, develop curiosity, engage in structured dialogue, learn collaboratively, and apply learning in meaningful ways. You will explore concepts like backward design, scaffolding, retrieval practice, formative assessment, cognitive disequilibrium, and social learning while exploring classroom strategies including gallery walks, philosophical chairs, and group quizzes.
Instructor:
71 Minutes
of Video
5 Lessons
24 Activities
8 Hours
Total Effort
Learning Objectives
This course aims to equip you to:
- Plan lessons using backward design principles that align learning activities with meaningful outcomes and assessment.
- Identify strategies that help students organize knowledge, connect prior learning to new concepts, and engage more deeply with course material.
- Prepare to facilitate active learning experiences and structured discussions that promote critical thinking, reflection, and respectful dialogue.
- Incorporate formative assessment, feedback, scaffolding, and collaborative learning strategies to strengthen student understanding and retention.
- Examine and select active learning practices that support student engagement, gradual growth, and faithful educational formation.