Uploaded February 2023 | Updated September 2026, 2 hours ago
Academic words can often sound the same but have distinct, important meanings. Understanding the difference between active processing and active learning can help you read the studies on learning more effectively.
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0:00 What does active processing mean?
0:59 What does active learning mean?
2:14 The relationship between active processing and active learning
REFERENCES:
On active learning in the classroom, I recommend:
Freeman, S., Eddy, S. L., McDonough, M., Smith, M. K., Okoroafor, N., Jordt, H., & Wenderoth, M. P. (2014). Active learning increases student performance in science, engineering, and mathematics. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, 111(23), 8410–8415. doi.org/10.1073/pnas.1319030111
Active processing is a big picture idea that crosses many areas of learning, but here is a general paper discussing the role of active processing in remembering:
Schwartz, B. L., Son, L. K., Kornell, N., & Finn, B. (n.d.). Four Principles of Memory Improvement: A Guide to Improving Learning Efficiency. https://web.williams.edu/Psychology/Faculty/Kornell/Publications/Schwartz.Son.Kornell.Finn.2011.pdf
And here is one on the role of active learning in reading: McNamara, D. S. (2010). Strategies to read and learn: Overcoming learning by consumption. Medical Education, 44(4), 340–346. doi.org/10.1111/j.1365-2923.2009.03550.x
Academic words can often sound the same but have distinct, important meanings. Understanding the difference between active processing and active learning can help you read the studies on learning more effectively.
Join my online learning community: benjaminkeep.com/community
0:00 What does active processing mean?
0:59 What does active learning mean?
2:14 The relationship between active processing and active learning
REFERENCES:
On active learning in the classroom, I recommend:
Freeman, S., Eddy, S. L., McDonough, M., Smith, M. K., Okoroafor, N., Jordt, H., & Wenderoth, M. P. (2014). Active learning increases student performance in science, engineering, and mathematics. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, 111(23), 8410–8415. doi.org/10.1073/pnas.1319030111
Active processing is a big picture idea that crosses many areas of learning, but here is a general paper discussing the role of active processing in remembering:
Schwartz, B. L., Son, L. K., Kornell, N., & Finn, B. (n.d.). Four Principles of Memory Improvement: A Guide to Improving Learning Efficiency. https://web.williams.edu/Psychology/Faculty/Kornell/Publications/Schwartz.Son.Kornell.Finn.2011.pdf
And here is one on the role of active learning in reading: McNamara, D. S. (2010). Strategies to read and learn: Overcoming learning by consumption. Medical Education, 44(4), 340–346. doi.org/10.1111/j.1365-2923.2009.03550.x
