Resources for Active Learning

The following bibliography focuses on the theory and research behind active learning, as well as strategies for incorporating active learning into your teaching repertoire. The first section includes more general resources and the latter sections are divided into specific active learning models.

Allen, D., & Tanner, K. (2005). Infusing active learning into the large-enrollment biology class: seven strategies, from the simple to complex. Cell Biology Education, 4(4), 262-268.

Angelo, T. A., & Cross, K. P. (1993). Classroom assessment techniques: A handbook for college teachers. San Francisco: Jossey-Bass.

Auster, E. R., & Wylie, K. K. (2006). Creating active learning in the classroom: A systematic approach. Journal of Management Education, 30(2), 333-353.

Bain, K. (2004). What the best college teachers do. Cambridge: Harvard University.

Barkley, E. F. (2009). Student engagement techniques: A handbook for college faculty. San Francisco, Jossey-Bass.

Bean, J. C. (2011). Engaging ideas: The professor's guide to integrating writing, critical thinking, and active learning in the classroom. (2^nd ed.). San Francisco: Jossey-Bass.

Bligh, D. A. (2000). What's the use of lectures? San Francisco: Jossey-Bass.

Bonwell, C. & Eison, J. (1991). Active learning: Creating excitement in the classroom. Washington, D.C.: Jossey-Bass.

Bransford, J. D., Brown, A. L., & Cocking, R. R. (1999). How people learn: Brain, mind, experience, and school. National Academy Press.

Bruff, D. (2009). Teaching with classroom responses systems: Creating active learning environments. San Francisco: Jossey-Bass.

Carbone, E. (1998). Active learning in a large class. In Teaching large classes: tools and strategies (pp. 47-56). Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage.

Clement, M. C. (2010). Methods for teaching with active learning: questions, discussions, and group work. In First time in the college classroom: A guide for teaching assistants, instructors and new professors at all colleges and universities (pp. 75-92). Lanham, MD: Rowan & Littlefield.

Davis, B. D. (2009). Alternatives and supplements to lectures and discussion. In Tools for teaching (2^nd ed.) (pp. 179-256). San Francisco: Jossey-Bass.

Eberlein, T., Kampmeier, J., Minderhout, V., Moog, R. S., Platt, T., Varma‐Nelson, P., & White, H. B. (2008). Pedagogies of engagement in science.Biochemistry and Molecular Biology Education, 36(4), 262-273.

Finkel, D. L. (2000). Teaching with your mouth shut. Portsmouth, NH: Boynton/Cook Publishers.

Freeman, S., Eddy, S. L., McDonough, M., Smith, M. K., Okoroafor, N., Jordt, H., & Wenderoth, M. P. (2014). Active learning increases student performance in science, engineering, and mathematics. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, 111(23), 8410-8415.

Johnson, D. W., Johnson, R. T., & Smith, K. A. (2006). Active learning: Cooperation in the college classroom. (8^th ed.). Edina, MN: Interaction Book Co.

Kuh, G. D., Kinzie, J., Schuh, J. H., & Whitt, E. J. (2010). Active and collaborative learning. In Student success in college: Creating conditions that matter (pp. 193-206). San Francisco, Jossey-Bass.

MacGregor, J. (2000). Strategies for energizing large classes: From small groups to learning communities. San Francisco: Jossey-Bass.

Mann, S. & Robinson, A. (2009). Boredom in the lecture theatre: An investigation into the contributors, moderators and outcomes of boredom amongst university students. British Educational Research Journal, 35(2), 243-258.

Meyers, C. & Jones, T. B. (1993). Promoting active learning: Strategies for the college classroom. San Francisco: Jossey-Bass.

Michael, J. (2006). Where’s the evidence that active learning works? Advances in Physiology Education, 30 (4), 159-167. Retrieved from: http://advan.physiology.org/content/30/4/159.abstract

Michael, J. & Modell, H. I. (2003). Active learning in secondary and college science classrooms: A working model for helping the learner to learn. Mahwah, NJ: Lawrence Earlbaum Associates.

Moore, A. H., Fowler, S. B., & Watson, C. E. (2007). Active learning and technology: Designing change for faculty, students and institutions. EDUCAUSE Review, 42 (5), 43-60.

Nash, R. (2009). The active classroom: Practical strategies for involving students in the learning process. Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage.

Nilson, L. B. (2010). Choosing and using the right tools for teaching and learning. In Teaching at its best: A research-based resource for college instructors (3^rd ed.) (pp. 101-172). San Francisco: Jossey-Bass.

Prince, M. (2004). Does active learning work? A review of the research. Journal of Engineering Education, 93, 223-231.

Salmon, G. (2012). E-Tivities: The key to active online learning. (2^nd ed.). London: Routledge.

Silberman, M. L. (1996). Active learning: 101 strategies to teach any subject. Boston: Allyn & Bacon.

Silberman, M. L. (2005). Teaching actively: Eight steps and 32 strategies to spark learning in any classroom. Boston: Allyn & Bacon.

Silverthorn, D. U. (2006). Teaching and learning in the interactive classroom.Advances in Physiology Education, 30(4), 135-140.

Smith, K. A., Sheppard, S. D., Johnson, D. W., & Johnson, R. T. (2005). Pedagogies of engagement: Classroom‐based practices. Journal of engineering education, 94(1), 87-101.

Stanley, C. A. & Porter, M. E. (Eds.). (2002). Engaging large classes: Strategies and techniques for college faculty. San Francisco: Jossey-Bass.

Sutherland, T. E. & Bonwell, C. C. (1996). Using active learning in college classes: A range of options for faculty. San Francisco: Jossey-Bass.

Svinicki, M. & McKeachie, W. J. (2010). Active learning: Group-based learning. In McKeachie’s teaching tips: Strategies, research, and theory for college and university teachers (pp. 190-200). Belmont, CA: Wadsworth.

The University of Texas at Austin Center for Teaching and Learning. (producer). (2010). Teaching large: Resources, tips & activities for large college classes.

Weimer, M. (Ed). (2009). Building student engagement: 15 strategies for the college classroom. Faculty Focus Special Report. Retrieved from: http://www.facultyfocus.com/free-reports/building-student-engagement-15-strategies-for-the-college-classroom/.

Cooperative and Collaborative Learning

Barkley, E. F., Cross, K. P., & Major, C. H. (2004). Collaborative learning techniques: A handbook for college faculty. San Francisco: Jossey-Bass.

Kuh, G. D., Kinzie, J., Schuh, J. H., & Whitt, E. J. (2010). Active and collaborative learning. In Student success in college: Creating conditions that matter (pp. 193-206). San Francisco, Jossey-Bass.

McManus, D. A. (2005). Leaving the lectern: Cooperative learning and the critical first days of students working in groups. San Francisco, Jossey-Bass.

 

Just-in-Time-Teaching (JiTT)

Derek Bok Center (Producer). (2007). Interactive teaching: Promoting better learning using peer instruction and just-in-time teaching. [DVD]. United States: Addison-Wesley.

Novak, G. M., Patterson, E. T., Gavrin, A. D., & Wolfgang, C. (1999). Just-in-time-teaching: Blending active learning with web technology. Upper Saddle River, NJ: Prentice Hall.

Simkins, S. & Maier, M. (Eds.). (2009). Just-in-time-teaching: Across the disciplines, and across the academy. Sterling, VA: Stylus.

Learner-Centered Teaching (LCT)

Blumberg, P. (2008). Developing learner-centered teaching: A practical guide for faculty. San Francisco: Jossey-Bass.

Doyle, T. (2008). Helping students learn in a learner-centered environment: A guide to facilitating learning in higher education. Sterling, VA, Stylus.

Doyle, T. (2011). Learner centered teaching: Putting the research on learning into practice. Sterling, VA: Stylus.

Huba, M. E. & Freed, J. E. (1999). Learner-centered assessment on college campuses: Shifting the focus from teaching to learning. Boston, Allyn & Bacon.

University of Southern California Center for Excellence in Teaching. (2009). Learner-centered education and instruction. 

Weimer, M. (2002). Learner-centered teaching: Five key changes to practice. San Francisco: Jossey-Bass.

Problem-Based Learning (PBL)

Amador, J.A., Miles, L., & Peters, C. B. (2007). The practice of problem-based learning: A guide to implementing PBL in the college classroom. Bolton, MA: Anker.

Barrett, T. & Moore, S. (2010). New approaches to problem-based learning: Revitalising your practice in higher education. London: Routledge.

Barrows, H. S. (1996). Problem-based learning in medicine and beyond: A brief overview. New Directions for Teaching and Learning, 68, 3-12.

Cockrell, K. S., Caplow, J. A. H., & Donaldson, J. F. (2000). A context for learning: Collaborative groups in the problem-based learning environment. Review of Higher Education, 23(3), 347-363.

Nilson, L. B. (2010). Problem-based learning. In Teaching at its best: A research-based resource for college instructors (3^rd ed.) (pp. 187-192). San Francisco: Jossey-Bass.

Savery, J. R. (2015). Overview of problem-based learning: Definitions and distinctions. Essential Readings in Problem-Based Learning: Exploring and Extending the Legacy of Howard S. Barrows, 5.

Team-Based Learning (TBL)

Michaelsen, L. K., Knight, A. B., & Fink, L. D. (Eds.). (2004). Team-based learning: A transformative use of small groups in teaching college. Sterling, VA: Stylus.

Michaelsen, L. K., Parmelee, D. X., McMahon, K. K., Levine, R.E. (Eds.). (2007). Team-based learning for health professions education: A guide to using small groups for improving learning. Sterling, VA: Stylus.

Michaelsen, L. K., Sweet, M., & Parmelee, D. X. (Eds.). (2009). Team-based learning: Small group learning’s next big step. San Francisco: Jossey-Bass.

Sweet, M. & Michaelsen, L. K. (Eds.). (2011). Team-based learning in the social sciences and humanities: Group work that works to generate critical thinking and engagement. Sterling, VA: Stylus.

The University of Texas at Austin Center for Teaching and Learning. (producer). (2011). Team-based Learning: Group work that works. Retrieved from: http://vimeo.com/29382382.

Authored by Terri Tarr (August, 2004) 

Revised by Sarah Lang (September, 2011)

Revised by Anusha S. Rao (November, 2015)