Centre for Active Learning (CeAL)

Active Learning at the University of Gloucestershire

Active Learning at the University of Gloucestershire

Active learning focuses on inquiry in the field, studio, laboratory and classroom using real sites, community-related and employer-linked activities.  More than simply 'learning by doing', our approach enables students to construct theoretical understanding through reflection on practical activities.  It is particularly effective with the University’s diverse student body, including disabled students, mature students and distance learners.

CeAL is developed around communities of active learners where students and staff inquire together.  A key innovative feature is joint student projects with other Faculties in the University, and initially thirteen HEIs in England and ten universities overseas.  The Centre is making important contributions to the development of evidence-based active learning practices, including through research undertaken by Postgraduate Research Assistants registered for part-time pedagogic research degrees.

Since the second year of CeAL there has been three types of opportunities for University of Gloucestershire staff to develop projects with CeAL; - PDG projects, CeAL Secondments and Faculty-related Projects.

Active learning at the University of Gloucestershire

The approach to active learning at the University of Gloucestershire has been developed from the Kolb Learning Cycle (Kolb, 1984) and the Performances of Understanding (Blythe and Associates, 1998).

The Kolb cycle may be described as four stages: experience, reflect, generalise and test (Cowan 1988) which each link with individual learning styles. At the Centre for Active Learning the introduction of the ‘performances of understanding’ into the model acknowledges that activities at each stage of the cycle requiring students to use knowledge in new ways or situations allows students to build and demonstrate their understanding, thus developing ‘capable and enthusiastic active learners’.

What does CeAL mean for students?

Since September 2006, there has been a brand new building at Francis Close Hall with state-of-the-art ICT facilities, including a cyber café and conference suite.  This is used by students to research topics, work in teams on problem solving, and hold conferences with professional people from industry, community groups, governmental departments and other agencies. An additional design studio has also been developed in an existing building, again with high specification equipment.