SUMMARY
Active learning strategies are based on the active engagement of students in their acquisition of knowledge, skills, and attitudes. A number of techniques are described in the context of class content, encouraging class discussion, assessment, and large classes. Controlling the level of risk and the complexity of the exercises is important in the selection of active learning approaches that will be most productive in the class. Active learning strategies have been shown to be effective: they can add energy to a lecture, and they can help make a three-hour class more tolerable. Involving the student in the learning process is designed to increase understanding of the class content.