Investigating Patterns

Active-Mode Learning

In traditional classes, the student’s role is to “absorb” information from text and teacher. In this passive mode, maintaining student interest is a never-ending challenge, students have difficulty retaining what they’ve learned, and complex student thought processes are largely neglected.

Common sense says that life requires the constant use of many complex mental processes. Spending vast amounts of time on just one—recalling —is a poor use of that time.

Challenging students intellectually, requiring them to take an active role in finding answers to important questions, has proven over and over to be the most effective way of teaching and learning. Student motivation increases, that which is learned is less superficial, less likely to fade from memory, and the skills acquired in the process of learning enhance the student’s life-long ability to make sense of experience.

The main components of this book, “Investigations,” provide instructions and raw materials for activities illustrating active-mode learning (and much more).

When students are solving puzzles rather than dealing with conventional narrative, intellectual surprises result. What has traditionally had the highest payoff at grade time are symbol manipulation skills and a good memory. When students are presented with work that demands the use of a full range of thought processes, class rankings and perceptions of self often change.