​​Active Learning Concept: Research based Learning-

The teacher can instill the skills of being an innovator or problem solver or creator by taking baby steps of introducing research based learning method in their curriculum. It aims at developing critical thinking , reflective thinking in learners and make them independent thinkers. If the research work is given group wise then they learn collaborative skills and team work.

I have tried this concept recently in my online class. I designed a research work on Soil - to understand the nature of different soil samples, its properties and its importance for living beings. It was carried out in the following way-

1. The aim and objectives were shared with the learners.

2. It was a group activity ( 6 in a group). The list of materials was shared with them. 

3. The class was made to do a starter activity online (clay modelling, sedimentation etc )to set the context in motion. Later some references were shared( links and sites)for them to study about soil. 

4. Then every group had to choose one experiment to perform_ percolation rate, absorption rate, soil as a filter, soil erosion capapcity etc . 

5. The students made a hypothesis and then researched about that property in detain from various sources. 

6. They started experimenting with different soil samples and wrote their observations. They drew their inferences and tabulated them. The teacher was a facilitator and took and gave feedback at regular intervals.

7. The results were analysed. The properties of soil samples were studied and real connections were made with respect to its application in real life. 

8. Students sketched their outcomes, clicked pics , collected evidences too. And prepared their presentation on Google slide ( which is a collaborative tool).

9. Rubrics were already shared with the learners. The groups presented their activities. Peer review and feedbacks were given by each other. 

10. Finally reflective thinking was done by all the students and they wrote it in their reflection sheet. 

So here, what is pointed out by William Cope for Active knowledge Making - I think our students were engaged in 

• Participatory Learning
• Built knowledge horizontally by researching more about soil.
• Knowledge was represented in an artifact form ( on google slides) They didnt just memorise but created a new form of information doc based on their own learning.
• Balance of agency was in place- learner contributed ideas, suggested, solved problems.

References:  https://cgscholar.com/cg_ck_multimedia/attachments?CKEditor=update_update_description&CKEditorFuncNum=1&langCode=en