When individuals write they think. As with talking and listening, writing helps in clarifying thoughts and communicating ideas. Unlike a paper in which the thoughts of others are summarized, writing in an active learning environment focuses on the learners' ideas, synthesis of material, and questions. Reading Written materials are often the most important teaching resource used by university instructors. Thus engaging students in active reading is an important skill for them to learn and improve.
Reading requires students to comprehend, organize, and prioritize information from a written text.
It also requires students to critically think about the assumptions, arguments, and perspectives presented. An active learning environment both encourages and provides students with opportunities for reflection. Small group activities can also provide students with opportunities to develop and improve interpersonal skills. Small group activities can range in format from having students pair up with the student sitting next to them and collaborate on a response to a discussion question to more formal groups of having five or six students cooperate on a project with a longer-term commitment. The ability to move chairs in the classroom and have students physically get into groups is an important aspect of in-class small group activities.