Defining Active Learning: A Restricted Systemic Review

What is active learning? While learning has been demonstrated to have positive impacts on student and performance, defining the concept elusive. Previous research examining definitions in STEM fields found that vast majority of published articles did not define learning, those defined as interacting, engaging, or lecturing. The current extends this STEM-focused work by both social science publications. A restricted systematic review literature was conducted using SCOPUS database, resulting 547 relevant focused from 2017 2022. An examination indicated 71% reviewed instructional strategies most often cited fostering emphasized interactive (e.g., small groups, team-based discussion, cooperative learning), well critical thinking problem-based case-based inquiry-based learning). In addition, an in-depth qualitative analysis 161 provided within yielded three main emergent themes: (a) grounded student-centered constructivist theory, (b) promoting higher-order deep (c) strategy involving activity, participation, engagement. Given these findings, a representative definition created: Active approach construction knowledge activities foster thinking.