ACTIVITY LEARNING METHOD

ACTIVE LEARNING METHOD (ALM)          

Introduction

            After deciding ‘why to teach’ and ‘what to teach’, it is proper to think about ‘how to teach’. A subject teacher adopts some special ways or devices for imparting the desired theoretical and practical experiences to his students. Success in teaching depends on two factors (i) Mastery over the subject matter and (ii) skill in teaching.

            This call for the need to impart adequate knowledge of mathematics to the pupils through the use of effective instructional techniques. The perennial low performance of pupils in Mathematics has been attributed among other things inadequate knowledge of the subject matter content by the teachers and poor instructional techniques.

Active learning Method:

            Active Learning technique is an instructional technique which focuses on the learner interacting with the subject matter content of a course through active participation generating of ideas, rather than be a passive listener and a receiver of knowledge. Activity that involves students in doing things and thinking about what they are doing may be called active learning.

            Lessons on ALT must be activity oriented. It must be also be culturally rooted lastly, the topic/ concepts for instructions must be consistent with the curriculum for a particular level of education. The school teachers were exposed to take lessons on ALT to enhance their teaching techniques and dis engage them from the use of traditional teaching centered method of imparting the knowledge of mathematics to the pupils.

Implication of ALT:

            1. The technique of designing activities will require learner’s active participation in the area of brain storming, developing question on their own and answering them, working in groups, or in peers to learn from each other with little or no involvement by the teacher among others.

            2. The preparation held by the primary school teachers that certain topics are difficult to teach, could be confirmed that inadequate knowledge of mathematics is imparted to the pupils, and which could be a major factor to low performance in the subject at the primary school level.

            3. The policy requiring school teachers to teach all subjects irrespective of their course specialization has implication for teacher’s attitudes and commitment to ensure good performance in the subject.

Aims of ALT:

            1. The empowerment of the learner in such a way that he/she is confident and able to function in many contest.

            2. Should allow pupils active participation in learning to be meaningful.

            3. To relate contents to daily experiences of the pupils and should provide opportunities for all students to take active roles in the lesson.

            4. Students have a right to learn in an atmosphere free from fear.

            5. To involves the students in higher order thinking ie analysis, synthesis and evaluation.

Learning process in ALT:

            In learning process the learner’s ability to listen, read, demonstrate and discuss are not sufficient evidences to confirm that the learner has acquired adequate knowledge of a concept or topic. The effective learning takes place when the learner is able to reflect the acquired knowledge through practice by sharing the knowledge with others and apply it to relevant situations.

            Paulo, a Brazilian educator was one of the proponents of ALT. He ascertained through research that the learning process is an exceptionally effective technique that enables the learners to learn more materials, retain the information longer, enjoy the classroom atmosphere and learn.

            Hattie defined ALT as a means of involving students in practicing important skills and applying new knowledge. In implementing an ALT lesson the teacher needs to design interactive activities involving problem solving. These activities can involve group work, working in pairs or individually. Learners are also encouraged to compare their work with the work of others. The teacher also gives home work/ assignments for certain period of time.

Advantages of ALM:

            1. It involves active engagement of students.

            2. ALT would ease teacher’s difficulties with teaching of certain topic in Mathematics.

            3. Children can become resourceful, through pair and group activity.

            4. It creates a friendly atmosphere between the student and teacher.

            5. The beauty of the process is simplicity.

            6. It allows the pupils to think and express their knowledge through discussion and presentation.

            7. It gives opportunity to learn the basic skill of reading, writing, listening, communicating and thinking.

Conclusion:

            ALT is a learning process that involves giving the learners the opportunity to take a more interactive relationship with the subject-matter of a course and as well encourage learners to generate ideas, rather than be a passive recipient. We need skilled and trained teachers for this. ALT is a dynamic process that encourages pupils participation or involvement in creating new knowledge and application of such knowledge to other professions and academics. This allows individual learner to formulate questions on their own, think or brain storm about a topic, discuss, explain and take active part during class lessons. ALT must be meaningful, gender-sensitive, culturally-rooted, consistent and productive.