You made the comment that many 'active learning strategies' transcend cultures. I guess I am entitled to do a little psychologising. I do think that there is a desire to master one's environment, and a desire for active engagement with one's environment. I think that, as humans, we are required cognitively to keep exploring, to stay active. Yes, it's amazing to see in activities I carry out in workshops overseas how similar people are in what they enjoy in the learning process.
Active involvement is always exciting to see.
But often, in college classrooms, learning activities are often boring, mind-numbing affairs. If we can get a majority of our colleagues to turn things around and focus on active learning, then we will get students coming out of colleges with higher expectations. When students get a chance to get involved, what they have to say is often fascinating. Students can be very pro-active. I look forward to playing second fiddle to my grad students on the research front.