Active Learning in Secondary School Mathematics

Abstract In recent years there has been widespread advocacy for a greater variety of learning activities to be used in the teaching of mathematics in secondary schools, and in particular calls for greater use of active learning. In essence, active learning may be described as the use of learning activities where pupils are given a marked degree of ownership and control over the learning activities used, where the learning experience is open‐ended rather than tightly pre‐determined, and where the pupil is able to actively participate in and shape the learning experience. The term ‘active learning’ has commonly been applied to a diverse range of learning activities, such as practical work, computer‐assisted learning, role play exercises, work experience, individualised work schemes, small group discussion, collaborative problem‐solving and extended project work. In the first phase of the study, seven categories of learning activities used in mathematics lessons were identified. One activity was considered t...