'Active' learning strategies engage students best

This week two teachers reported back using the video clips that focussed on disengaged students. It was more interesting to follow two particular students in a lesson rather than do another class overview. The dissection of the learning was also more fruitful. We agreed that we probably could not change the periods of disengagement that occurred with the students because it was linked to their preferred way of learning. What we did learn is that it is important to use various strategies during a lesson so that students experience the various modalities that include their preferred method. The recordings showed that  ‘hands on’ learning and group problem solving does keep the highest number students engaged at one time.