2023 ASEE Annual Conference & Exposition

A Mind Map for Active Learning Techniques

Presented at Faculty Development Division (FDD) Technical Session 4

This evidence-based practice paper describes the creation of and use of a mind map of popular active learning techniques. When faculty members are learning about the implementation of active learning for the classroom, the scope and breadth of techniques can be confusing (or overwhelming) for the beginner. Questions such as “where do I begin,” “how deep is the student learning,” or “how much prep-time is necessary” are common. A mind map has shown to be useful in categorizing and sorting through the plethora of techniques. The mind map has been used in scores of faculty development workshops and presented to more than 1000 faculty members who are focusing on the implementation of active (and student-centered) learning. The hierarchical mind map breaks down collaborative and non-collaborative classroom techniques with the collaborative techniques divided into four “levels” of preparation and student engagement. This paper can be presented as either a lightning talk or traditional lecture.

Authors

Dr. Andrew L. Gerhart Lawrence Technological University [biography]

Andrew Gerhart, Ph.D. is a Professor of Mechanical Engineering at Lawrence Technological University. He is a Fellow of the Engineering Society of Detroit and is actively involved in ASEE and the American Society of Mechanical Engineers. He serves as Faculty Advisor for the American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics Student Chapter at LTU, director of IDEAS (Interdisciplinary Design and Entrepreneurial Applications Sequence), chair of the First Year Engineering Experience committee, supervisor of the LTU Thermo-Fluids and Aerodynamics Laboratories, coordinator of the Certificate/Minor in Aeronautical Engineering, and faculty advisor of the LTU SAE Aero Design Team. Dr. Gerhart conducts workshops on active, collaborative, and problem-based learning, entrepreneurial mindset education, creative problem solving, and innovation. He is an author of a fluid mechanics textbook.

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