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Are you a parent who pays too much attention to the hours your kids spend learning or the scores they get on school tests? While we agree that these parameters are crucial to a child's learning process, there's something even more important that doesn't get enough attention. We're talking about 'how' the kids learn.

This seemingly simple aspect is often overlooked in learning-related discussions, yet it determines the quality of learning and shapes a child's future opportunities. We at Delhi Public School Sushant Lok, ranked among the top schools in Gurgaon, have seen that children either learn actively or passively. However, we strongly encourage everyone to adopt the active learning approach owing to the multiple benefits it endows the learners with. Today, this blog post is an attempt to help parents and kids understand why the focus should always be on active learning. So, make sure you read the full post.

What is Active and Passive Learning?

Before we proceed with the discussion, we'd like to clarify what active and passive learning actually mean. Passive learning is when kids absorb information by simply listening to lectures, copying notes, or plain memorisation. In this case, kids don't engage with the material, making it ineffective.

Conversely, active learning occurs when children participate in learning by asking questions, discussing the topic with peers, or exploring practical applications of the concepts they have learned. At Delhi Public School Sushant Lok, our students are trained to follow an active learning approach, as it helps them develop a strong conceptual understanding of any topic.

Active Learning vs. Passive Learning: Which is Better?

We firmly believe that active learning is far better than passive learning because of the following reasons:

• Builds understanding that lasts

If your kids cannot explain the concepts they've learned a few weeks before the exam, they've probably studied passively. This learning approach is built on short-term memorisation, which is why kids can never benefit from it in the long run. However, this dynamics changes entirely with active learning.

When kids engage with the learning material and try to explain what they've learned in their own words, they develop a stronger understanding of the concept. Applying concepts to real-life situations and explaining what they’ve learned to their friends are also signs of active learning. Some active learners may also solve relevant problems independently to understand a topic better. It replaces memorisation with understanding, helping children retain information for longer.

• Replaces fear of mistakes with self-confidence

Passive learning makes children overly focused on getting the 'right' answer or retaining information long enough to score good grades in exams. Over time, it develops several fears in them. We're talking about fear of being wrong, of speaking up, and even of trying something new.

These fears quietly erode children's confidence. When they shift from passive to active learning, something else also changes. They unknowingly shift from memorisation and correctness to structured thinking. It makes them ask more questions and explore ideas without immediate judgment.

As mistakes become a natural part of learning, they no longer fear making mistakes. This approach helps children trust their thinking and express ideas more freely, boosting their confidence.

• Keeps children engaged in their learning process

Even if you see your kids spending long hours studying, there's a high chance they're disconnected from the learning process. Their actions may also reflect if they feel bored and uninterested while doing homework or any type of learning.

At Delhi Public School Sushant Lok, kids feel this way during passive learning because they cannot see how their learning relates to the real world. This is where active learning flips the script.

Active learning encourages students to discuss real situations, apply ideas, and practice what they're learning, making learning more purposeful. Instead of forcing kids to concentrate, active learning makes them involved in the entire process. It not only helps them conduct organised learning sessions but also improves the quality of their learning.

• Prepares kids for real life, not just school

Since active learning engages children on multiple fronts, they develop skills that will benefit them beyond their school life. We at Delhi Public School Sushant Lok, one of the best CBSE school in Gurgaon, have witnessed at our school how well active learners collaborate with peers, think through challenges, and adapt their ideas repeatedly until they've fully understood a concept.

These activities sharpen their collaboration, creative thinking, and adaptability skills, which can help them thrive in adulthood. Unlike passive learning, active learning doesn't teach children to merely follow instructions. Even if active learners have no definite instructions or learning path to follow, they can easily make decisions and reflect on their approach to make necessary adjustments. You may not notice significant changes in your kids as they develop these skills, but they will shine once they enter the real world, especially when they enter the workforce.

Conclusion

If you had to choose between passive and active learning for your kids, you should confidently choose active learning. Having said that, we understand that some may still get confused by the term 'active,' assuming it means doing more. However, trust us, active learning is primarily about improving the learning quality, which is not necessarily by doing more work. As children become regular participants in an active learning approach, they move towards developing better academic proficiency and skills they can apply in real-life situations as well. This thereby helps ensure they grow and succeed well in their lives.