Active Learning
Active learning means your teen engages with material through questioning, creating, and applying rather than passively hoping information sticks by staring at it.
Why passive learning can be a problem
Most teens default to passive learning: reading, rereading, highlighting. These feel productive but create an illusion of knowing without true understanding.
Common passive learning problems:
• Reading chapters without remembering anything
• Recognizing material but unable to explain it
• Feeling confident until test time
• Spending hours "studying" with minimal retention
• Mistaking familiarity for understanding
• Highlighting everything without processing
Passive learning doesn't build the neural connections needed for recall and application, leaving teens frustrated despite their effort.
You're not alone
If your teen claims they studied for hours but still fails tests, they're likely using passive methods. Schools rarely teach how to learn actively, and passive methods feel easier even though they're less effective. The shift to active learning feels uncomfortable initially because it requires more mental effort, but the payoff in understanding and retention is dramatic. Most students need explicit instruction in active learning techniques.
What it looks like day to day
Student
Your teen reads the same textbook chapter three times and highlights every sentence but can't answer basic questions about the content.
Parent
You quiz your teen on material they just "studied" for two hours, and they look at you blankly, unable to recall basic concepts.
Tiny steps to try
Transform passive studying into active engagement with these strategies.
- 1
Explain it back
After reading a section, close the book and explain the concept aloud. If you can't teach it, you don't know it.
- 2
Create questions
Turn every heading into a question before reading, then answer it after. This primes the brain for important information.
- 3
Draw concepts
Create diagrams, comics, or visual representations of ideas. Drawing forces processing and reveals understanding gaps.
- 4
Make connections
Link new information to what's already known. How does this relate to last week's topic or real life?
- 5
Test yourself
Create flashcards or practice problems. Testing strengthens memory more than reviewing.
Why active learning matters
Active learning dramatically improves retention and understanding compared to passive methods. When students actively engage with material, they process it deeply, creating stronger neural pathways.
Research consistently shows active learning techniques improve test scores, long-term retention, and ability to apply knowledge. Students using active methods spend less total time studying while achieving better results. The initial discomfort of active learning pays off in reduced study time and improved grades.
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Frequently Asked Questions
My teen says active learning takes too long. Is this true?
Initially, active learning feels slower because it requires mental effort. However, it actually saves time overall. One hour of active learning often equals three hours of passive reading. Plus, information learned actively sticks better, reducing review time. The investment pays off quickly in better grades and less total study time.
Which active learning method is best?
Different methods work for different subjects and learners. Testing yourself works well for facts, drawing helps with processes, and explaining aids conceptual understanding. Encourage your teen to experiment and use multiple methods. The key is engaging with material rather than passively consuming it.
Related Terms
Metacognition
Metacognition is thinking about your thinking - understanding how you learn best, monitoring your comprehension, and adjusting strategies accordingly.
Note-Taking Strategies
Note-taking strategies are systematic methods for capturing, organizing, and reviewing information to enhance understanding and retention.
Spaced Repetition
Spaced repetition is reviewing information at increasing intervals to move it from short-term to long-term memory more efficiently than massed practice.
Study Skills
Study skills are the strategies and techniques that help students learn effectively, retain information, and perform well academically.
Test Preparation
Test preparation is the systematic approach to studying and reviewing material to perform well on exams, including strategies for different test formats.
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