When many of us hear the term active learning, we picture a lively classroom: students moving around, talking in groups, debating ideas. While those are certainly forms of active learning, they are not the only way it shows up - especially in today’s higher education landscape.
Active learning, as defined by Bonwell and Eison (1991), involves students doing things and thinking about what they are doing. At its core, it is not about physical activity or volume. It is about cognitive engagement. Students are actively learning when they are analyzing ideas, applying concepts, reflecting on their thinking, and engaging with others in meaningful ways.
This distinction is especially important as more courses are taught partially or fully online. In digital environments, active learning may look quieter, but it can be just as powerful. A well-designed discussion prompt that asks students to apply a concept, a short reflection that pushes them to rethink an assumption, or a collaborative annotation activity can all foster deep engagement without a single spoken word.
In fact, online environments offer unique advantages for active learning. Students often have more time to think before responding, which can lead to more thoughtful contributions. Multiple modes of participation (writing, video, discussion boards, collaborative documents) allow more students to engage in ways that work for them. And structured activities can ensure that participation is more evenly distributed, rather than dominated by a few voices.
This matters in today’s higher education context, where flexibility, access, and inclusive teaching practices are increasingly central. If active learning is misunderstood as something that only happens in a physical classroom, we risk underutilizing the potential of online environments. But when we focus on what active learning actually is - engagement with ideas, practice, and reflection - we can design online courses that are just as interactive, rigorous, and impactful.
If you’re interested in practical strategies and examples for implementing active learning in your online course you may explore the UOES resource library for ideas, tools, and best practices in online teaching and learning.