15 Active Learning Examples for K-12, Higher Education, and L&D

Want to transform your traditional lectures into something that actually works? Active learning puts students and participants at the center of their own learning journey. Instead of passively receiving information, learners engage, apply, and truly understand the material. The results speak for themselves: studies show 54% higher test scores and 13 times more engagement compared to passive teaching methods.

This guide walks you through 15 examples of active learning that work across ages and settings. Every activity here can be adjusted to fit your needs, whether your classroom or training room is online, in-person, hybrid. We hope these examples help you better understand what active learning is and how it can be applied for any topic.

What is active learning?

Active learning is an instructional approach where learners actively participate in the learning process through meaningful activities and reflection. Unlike passive learning where students simply receive information, active learning engages participants in higher-order thinking through analysis, synthesis, and evaluation of content.

Examples of active learning for K-12 education

Living word wall

Make vocabulary stick by having students create physical or digital representations of new words, combining language learning with visual and kinesthetic elements. This activity is especially great for young students!

Real-world example: First-grade students learning new sight words help create and maintain a living word wall. This “wall” can be either physical or digital, depending on your classroom environment. When learning the word "jump," students take photos or videos of themselves jumping, which get posted next to the word. For "grow," they might plant real seeds in cups by their desks or create time-lapse videos of plants growing at home. The word wall becomes an interactive display where students can touch a word (in person) or click a word (online) to see their classmates demonstrating its meaning. Students regularly review the wall by acting out the words together, demonstrating both vocabulary and comprehension through movement and visuals.

Science story circle

Turn abstract concepts into memorable stories. Students creatively build on each other's ideas while demonstrating scientific understanding in an engaging way. This activity is also perfect for young students!

Real-world example: A third-grade class learning about the water cycle sits in a circle (or in virtual groups of 4-5 students). Each student plays the role of a water droplet and adds to the story of their journey through the water cycle. One student might start, "I was floating in a cloud," the next adds, "Then I got so heavy with my water droplet friends that we started to fall as rain," and another continues, "I landed in a puddle on the playground." Teachers guide the narrative with prompt cards if needed, and students draw the water droplet's journey afterward.

Hands-on science experiments

Students conduct experiments in small groups, forming hypotheses, collecting data, and drawing conclusions. This approach teaches the scientific method through direct experience.

Real-world example: Fifth-grade students build weather stations using simple materials like plastic bottles, straws, and ping pong balls. Over several weeks, they collect real data about temperature, rainfall, and wind patterns. They use their findings to make weather predictions, turning abstract meteorology into concrete observations they can touch and measure.

Digital scavenger hunts

Turn online research into an exciting discovery mission. Students work in teams to investigate content while building digital literacy skills that matter.

Real-world example: A 7th-grade science class studying ecosystems becomes ecosystem detectives. Teams use structured digital worksheets to track down different biomes and document ecosystem interactions. They create engaging presentations of their findings and host a virtual gallery walk to share discoveries. Teachers monitor progress in real-time, offering extra challenges to keep every team engaged

Role-playing historical events

Transport students back in time through active role-play. They'll better understand complex historical events by living them rather than just reading about them.

Real-world example: During a lesson on the Boston Tea Party, middle school students research and assume the roles of colonial merchants, British officials, and Native Americans. They debate the taxation policies and trade implications, experiencing firsthand the complex motivations and conflicts that led to this event. They experience firsthand why this event changed history

Active learning techniques for higher education

Living case studies

An immersive approach to case study analysis where students follow and respond to real-world situations as they unfold in real-time, interacting with actual stakeholders and adapting their solutions as new developments emerge.

Real-world example: In an advanced marketing course, students track an ongoing crisis at a major social media company through live updates, financial data, and social media sentiment analysis. Teams develop response strategies and adjust their approaches as new developments emerge. Each team maintains a decision log showing how their strategy evolved with new information, and they present their final recommendations to the class. The best solutions are shared with the company's marketing team for feedback.

Jigsaw discussions

The class divides into "expert groups" to master different aspects of a topic, then reorganizes into mixed groups where each student teaches their expertise to others.

Real-world example: In a global economics course, students become experts in different economic systems. One group focuses on free market principles, another on command economies, and another on mixed systems. When they regroup, each student teaches their specialty, together building an understanding of how different economic systems interact in the global marketplace.

Problem-based learning

Students work in teams to solve open-ended problems, researching solutions and presenting their findings. This approach develops critical thinking and real-world problem-solving skills.

Real-world example: Environmental science students tackle microplastic pollution in their local waterways. Teams collect and analyze water samples using DIY spectrometers, then design and test their own filtration systems. The project culminates with teams pitching their best solutions to the city's water management board. Students apply classroom concepts to solve a real community problem.

Peer instruction with concept tests

Instructors present multiple-choice conceptual questions, students vote on answers, discuss with peers, then revote to discover solutions together.

Real-world example: During an online physics lecture on Newton's laws, students respond to conceptual questions over polls. After seeing the aggregated class results, they move into small virtual discussion groups to debate their answers. Instructors monitor the group discussions, providing guidance where needed. When students return to the main session for a second vote, understanding typically shows dramatic improvement.

Collaborative research projects

Students design and conduct research projects in teams, building both subject matter expertise and collaboration skills.

Real-world example: Psychology students investigate online learning behaviors, designing digital surveys and conducting observational research through screen sharing sessions with volunteer participants. Teams collaborate to analyze data, creating interactive dashboards to visualize their findings. They present their research through virtual poster sessions where attendees can move between groups to view presentations and ask questions. Several teams' recommendations for improving the online learning experience are implemented by the university's distance learning program.

Active learning strategies for corporate training

AI-enhanced role-play training

A sophisticated approach to sales training that combines traditional role-play with AI technology, data analytics, and multimodal feedback systems. This method creates a more comprehensive and personalized learning experience than standard role-play exercises.

Real-world example: At a software company, sales representatives engage in realistic role-play training. Sales representatives practice with AI-powered virtual customers that adapt to their approach, then move to peer role-play sessions focused on personalized areas of improvement. Weekly team sessions review successful approaches, creating a database of effective responses to common situations.

Virtual team projects

Distributed teams collaborate on real business challenges using virtual collaboration tools, developing both project management and remote work skills.

Real-world example: A manufacturing company assigns mixed teams from offices in different countries to solve supply chain bottlenecks. Using virtual collaboration tools, they analyze problems and propose solutions across time zones. This approach not only improves processes but develops crucial cross-cultural communication skills.

Peer teaching sessions

Experienced employees lead training sessions on their areas of expertise, promoting knowledge sharing while developing leadership skills.

Real-world example: A technology company runs an "Expert Hours" program where top performers share specialized knowledge. During a recent session on code optimization, a senior developer combines live coding demonstrations with paired programming exercises. Teams implement the learned techniques immediately, resulting in measurable improvements in code quality and performance.

Simulation-based practice

Practice high-stakes decisions without the risk. Employees build confidence through realistic scenarios before facing real situations.

Real-world example: Financial advisors at a major bank use sophisticated market simulation software to practice handling volatile market conditions. They make investment decisions under pressure and see long-term consequences of their choices, all without risking actual client assets. This safe environment helps them develop confidence and strategic thinking for real market challenges.

Micro-learning challenges

Break down complex skills into bite-sized practice sessions that are completed between other tasks. Employees master one specific skill at a time, then immediately put it to work.

Real-world example: A retail chain implements daily 10-minute customer service challenges. Employees practice specific scenarios like handling returns or addressing complaints, then immediately apply these skills with actual customers. This bite-sized approach leads to measurable improvements in customer satisfaction scores.

The impact of active learning

Active learning has been shown to deliver measurable results in recent studies. View the active learning impact study:

Quick start guide: 10 tips to start active learning today

Success with active learning starts with clear structure and builds through practice. Begin with these guidelines: set clear expectations, start small, choose appropriate tech tools, build in reflection time, and measure what works.

1. Start small, start tomorrow

Make your next session active with a simple five minute exercise:

• Ask a thought-provoking question and give learners one minute for individual thinking
• Allow two minutes for pair discussion
• Take two minutes to share key insights

2. Update existing lectures

Turn passive slides into active engagement:

• Convert bullet points into fill-in activities
• Transform graphs into prediction exercises
• Turn statistics into estimation games

3. Add movement to any lesson

Get learners physically engaged with simple movement activities:

• Vote with your feet by moving to different corners
• Use standing/sitting to show agreement levels
• Create human graphs or timelines across physical rooms

4. Make questions count

Replace "Any questions?" with structured participation:

• Have everyone write one question
• Let participants exchange and answer each other's questions
• Address common themes together

5. Power of the pause

Build in quick reflection moments:

• Stop after key concepts
• Ask for one key takeaway
• Share insights with neighbors or in chat

6. Put technology to work

Use simple digital tools for instant engagement:

• Create quick polls to check understanding
• Use virtual whiteboards for group thinking
• Enable chat or Q&A forums for ongoing discussions

7. Build mini-challenges

Turn concepts into problem-solving opportunities:

• Present real-world scenarios
• Give teams 3-5 minutes to solve
• Compare different approaches

8. Check understanding often

Build in quick feedback loops:

• Use thumbs up/down emojis for quick checks
• Ask for confidence ratings (1-5)
• Track understanding with colored cards

9. Make review active

Transform passive review into engaging practice:

• Let participants create quiz questions
• Use "pass the problem" group activities
• Create review competitions

10. Track what works

Keep a simple success log:

• Note high-engagement activities
• Track timing for each exercise
• Record one improvement for next time

Emergency engagement tools

Keep these quick activities ready when energy drops:

• 60-second expert: Teach a neighbor one new thing
• Stand up/sit down: Use movement for true/false questions
• Quick sketch: Draw the concept

Make your next class active

Active learning isn't just another teaching trend - it's a proven approach that delivers real results. Whether you're teaching third-graders or training executives, these techniques boost engagement, retention, and practical application of knowledge. Start small. Pick one technique that fits your style and audience. Test it, refine it, then add another. 

Ready to see the difference active learning makes? Choose one technique from this guide and try it in your next session. Your learners will thank you with their engagement and results.