Active learning is a game-changer for student engagement and understanding, but let’s be real—it’s not always easy to implement. Maybe you’ve tried an activity that didn’t go as planned, or you worry that active learning will be too chaotic, time-consuming, or difficult to manage.
The good news? Every challenge has a solution. In this post, we’ll tackle the most common obstacles teachers face when using active learning and give you practical strategies to overcome them.
Challenge #1: “I Don’t Have Time for This”
Time is a teacher’s most valuable resource, and with a packed curriculum, it’s easy to feel like there’s no room for active learning. However, active learning doesn’t have to be a major time commitment. Even small activities can make a big impact!
Solutions:
✅ Start Small: Try quick activities like Think-Pair-Share (2-3 minutes) or a 1-minute reflection at the end of class.
✅ Embed Active Learning in Existing Lessons: Instead of adding something new, tweak what you’re already doing. Turn a lecture into a discussion or a worksheet into a collaborative problem-solving activity.
✅ Prioritize Depth Over Coverage: Active learning helps students understand concepts more deeply, meaning they’ll need less time for review later on.
📌 Try This: Instead of a traditional review session, use a student-led discussion where students summarize key ideas and teach each other.
Challenge #2: “My Students Won’t Stay on Task”
Worried that active learning will turn your classroom into a chaotic free-for-all? It’s a common concern, but with clear expectations and structured activities, students can stay engaged without things getting out of control.
Solutions:
✅ Set Clear Expectations: Explain what students need to do and why the activity is important. Model the process beforehand.
✅ Use Time Limits: Keeping activities structured with short timeframes helps students stay focused.
✅ Assign Roles: Give students specific roles in group work (e.g., leader, recorder, presenter) to keep them accountable.
✅ Use Movement Wisely: If students are rotating through learning stations or working in groups, designate clear spaces and expectations to manage transitions smoothly.
📌 Try This: Before an activity, say: “In the next 5 minutes, I want you to brainstorm as many solutions as possible. Then, we’ll share our best ideas.” This keeps students focused and motivated.
Challenge #3: “It Takes Too Much Prep”
Active learning doesn’t have to mean more work for you. Many strategies require little to no extra prep—just a shift in how you deliver instruction.
Solutions:
✅ Use No-Prep Activities: Strategies like Think-Pair-Share, class debates, and role-playing require zero materials.
✅ Repurpose Existing Resources: Instead of creating new materials, use what you already have. For example, turn a worksheet into a collaborative activity where students solve problems in pairs and explain their reasoning to the class.
✅ Have Students Create Content: Let students do the work! They can generate questions for discussions, design review games, or lead a peer-teaching session.
📌 Try This: Instead of preparing an entire lesson’s worth of slides, pose a big question and let students research, discuss, and present their findings.
Challenge #4: “It Won’t Work with My Curriculum”
Many teachers worry that active learning won’t fit with their subject or curriculum requirements, especially in content-heavy courses. But active learning isn’t about doing extra work—it’s about enhancing what you already teach.
Solutions:
✅ Align Activities with Learning Goals: Instead of seeing active learning as an “extra,” think about how it can support your required outcomes.
✅ Use Active Learning to Reinforce Concepts: Turn review sessions into engaging activities (e.g., a class debate on a historical event instead of just reading about it).
✅ Start with Just One Lesson: Try one active learning strategy and see how it fits with your subject.
📌 Try This: Teaching a complex concept? Instead of explaining it all yourself, assign students different sections to research and teach their peers. This builds understanding without adding extra content.
Challenge #5: “Some Students Just Don’t Participate”
Every class has students who hesitate to speak up, especially in group discussions or hands-on activities. The key is creating a supportive environment where all students feel comfortable engaging.
Solutions:
✅ Start with Low-Stakes Activities: Try silent brainstorming, Think-Pair-Share, or written reflections before moving into discussions.
✅ Provide Choice: Let students pick their role in an activity (e.g., presenting vs. writing) to build confidence.
✅ Use Small Groups First: Students often feel safer contributing in small groups before sharing with the whole class.
✅ Recognize Different Strengths: Some students thrive in discussions, while others shine in problem-solving or creative tasks. Give multiple ways to engage.
📌 Try This: Instead of asking, “Who wants to share?” say, “Turn to your partner and share your answer. Then, I’ll call on a few pairs to summarize their discussion.” This way, all students contribute before speaking in front of the class.
Final Thoughts: Make Active Learning Work for You
Active learning isn’t about doing more—it’s about teaching smarter. By making small, strategic shifts, you can increase student engagement, deepen understanding, and create a more dynamic classroom environment.
💡 Which challenge resonates with you the most? Pick one strategy from this post to try in your next lesson, and let me know how it goes!
I’d love to hear from you—share your experiences in the comments or connect with me on social media! Let’s make active learning work for every teacher and every student. 🚀
