This page refers you back to the backward design approach from M1.4 Backward design - begin with the end in mind and encourages you to use backward design as your starting point for designing active learning opportunities in your teaching sessions. You are then introduced to the acronym R.A.T as a method to help you plan for active learning in blended course environments.

Designing active learning using R.A.T

In the video below Chris Tuffnell introduces an acronym to help you to plan for your active learning activities R.A.T:

R - Role of the educator: You will transition from the teacher delivering information and become the educator facilitating the learning experience.
A - Activities: Start small by introducing an active learning activity, eg. questions, discussion, debates or group work.
T - Techniques for active learning: Once you have tried the small scale activities you may want to move to more complex activities such as peer-instruction, or team-based activities, or problem-based or project-based activities.

What is active learning?

In this video (3.55 min) Chris Tuffnell introduces active learning as a learner-centered approach that aims to engage students in deeper and more meaningful learning experiences.

Your choice

If you prefer to read the transcript for this video you can open it in preview mode or download the Word file below.

M5.3 What is active learning and using R.A.T.docx

Tip: If you open the ReadSpeaker TextAid link in the "Module" view you will be able to Annotate the file as well as download an audio version of the file to listen to on-the-go (one page at the time)!

Reflect: Ask yourself

How do you activate your students in the online environment - either synchronously or asynchronously.
Which tools have you used in Canvas? Have you tested any other methods?

Write you reflections in your reflection log.

References

Brame, C. J. (2016). Active learning. Vanderbilt University Center for Teaching. Retrieved February 14, 2024, from https://cft.vanderbilt.edu/active-learning/

On this page:

Backward design as your starting point

Designing active learning using R.A.T

What is active learning?

Your choice

Reflect: Ask yourself

References