These Geography teachers were exploiting the potential that active learning situations create. If students have to “do” something, they are more likely to be engaged with the topic and motivated by the learning that is taking place. That is not to say that all teaching has to be active in this way. There will be lessons when working through a section of a textbook by a whole class is appropriate. At other times, individual work around a theme may be necessary to allow the teacher to move around the class and check on progress. It is the task of the teacher to choose the right combination of approaches.
Providing feedback
Whatever the tasks set and however they are presented, students need feedback on their work. This is a crucial part of any teaching approach and it is important to think about the varied ways this can be done.