Implementing active learning: a challenge to teachers and students in higher education

Higher education is in a process of changing conditions. Many of these changes concerns teaching and learning and the challenges both teachers and students need to be able to meet in the near future. This paper deals with teacher role and actions needed to meet the students´ needs and desires in order to create effective learning environments and course design supporting active learning among the students. There is a need to share teaching and learning experiences, to have a continuing dialogue and to work in the direction of offering students active learning possibilities and good learning, both face-to-face and in virtual learning environments. Using flexible learning, digital media and computer-mediated communication are, among other parameters, identified as important ingredients in creating active learning environments to students.