The Active Learning Spectrum
Active learning is grounded in a simple idea: Students learn more when they do more than just listen.
As Felder and Brent put it, Active Learning involves “anything that involves students in doing things and thinking about the things they are doing.” Rather than replacing explanation, active learning combines brief input with purposeful student activity.
The Active Learning Spectrum has been created to help colleagues put this approach into practice quickly and confidently. The methods in the spectrum are categorised into four sections: Individual Activities, Active Sessions, Design Methods and Teaching Formats.
To explore the spectrum and the methods and categories, click one of the buttons below:
Developed at Manchester Metropolitan University
by Stuart Parkin, Jack Sutherst & Rod Cullen
developed from original work by
O’Neal and Pinder-Grover (2020) and Watson (2021)
Contact S.Parkin@mmu.ac.uk or J.Sutherst@mmu.ac.uk with queries or for more information
Share your practice on Manchester Met Innovate
See how Manchester Met colleagues are putting active learning methods into practice on Manchester Met Innovate, our platform for sharing educational innovation.
If you are a Manchester Met colleague, get more information on how to submit your own work to the platform on the Submission Guidelines page.
