Technologies as Tools to Increase Active Learning During Online Higher-Education Instruction

Abstract

Higher education (HE) faculty are increasingly teaching online. For many faculty, this represents a new instructional mode that comes with its own set of challenges but also with new instructional possibilities. One challenge is identifying innovative and effective active learning methods that academically engage online students. Along with other benefits, students learn more with instruction that includes active learning opportunities rather than simply passively attending, whether learning face-to-face or online. Fortunately, HE faculty have at their disposal numerous technology tools to increase active learning in their synchronous, asynchronous, and hybrid online courses. This technology presents several active learning technologies organized under these online instructional methods: content presentations, game-based and gamification activities, peer collaboration, and multimedia. Mostly, the technologies reviewed are free or relatively low-cost and easy to use, with some available within typical HE learning management systems.