Demystifying the Meaning of Active Learning in Postsecondary Biology Education

• Published in: CBE life sciences education Vol. 19; no. 4; p. ar52
• Main Authors: Driessen, Emily P, Knight, Jennifer K, Smith, Michelle K, Ballen, Cissy J
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: United States American Society for Cell Biology 01.12.2020
• Subjects: Active Learning; Biology; Biology - education; Definitions; Educational Researchers; Humans; Language Usage; Learning Strategies; Periodicals; Problem-Based Learning; Reproducibility of Results; Research Personnel; Science Instruction; Science Teachers; Teacher Attitudes; Teacher Characteristics; Teaching; Teaching Methods; Undergraduate Students
• ISSN: 1931-7913; 1931-7913
• DOI: 10.1187/cbe.20-04-0068

Active learning is frequently used to describe teaching practices, but the term is not well-defined in the context of undergraduate biology education. To clarify this term, we explored how active learning is defined in the biology education literature (n = 148 articles) and community by surveying a national sample of biology education researchers and instructors (n = 105 individuals). Our objectives were to increase transparency and reproducibility of teaching practices and research findings in biology education. Findings showed the majority of the literature concerning active learning never defined the term, but the authors often provided examples of specific active-learning strategies. We categorized the available active-learning definitions and strategies obtained from the articles and survey responses to highlight central themes. Based on data from the BER literature and community, we provide a working definition of active learning and an Active-Learning Strategy Guide that defines 300+ active-learning strategies. These tools can help the community define, elaborate, and provide specificity when using the term active learning to characterize teaching practices.