<p><strong>Short answer</strong><br>
This type of engaged learning is referred to as active learning.</p>

<p><strong>Background</strong><br>
In contrast to the traditional, mostly passive ways of teaching (one-way lecturing), nowadays there's a trend to <a href="https://cei.umn.edu/active-learning" rel="nofollow noreferrer"><strong>active learning</strong></a>.</p>

<blockquote>
  <p>Active learning is any approach to instruction in which all students are asked to engage in the learning process. Active learning stands in contrast to "traditional" modes of instruction in which students are passive recipients of knowledge from an expert.</p>
</blockquote>

<p><a href="https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/pdf/10.1111/mbe.12117" rel="nofollow noreferrer">Markant <em>et al</em> (2016)</a> explain in a review article that active learning leads to better outcomes than passive forms of instruction. They summarize that the opportunity to control the information while learning leads to improved memory. Mechanisms involved in this effect include the formation of <strong>sensorimotor associations</strong>, adaptive selection of material and metacognitive monitoring. </p>

<p>Active control over a learning situation results in large areas of the brain being recruited and interconnected during active exploration (source: <a href="https://psychcentral.com/news/2010/12/06/how-active-learning-improves-memory/21563.html" rel="nofollow noreferrer">Psych Central</a>). For example, active exploratory behavior during the observation of objects enhances memory recall <a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/21102449" rel="nofollow noreferrer">(Voss <em>et al</em>., 2011)</a>, resulting in enhanced activity in the dorsolateral prefrontal cortex, the cerebellum and the hippocampus is higher and more coordinated after active learning (source: <a href="https://news.illinois.edu/view/6367/205467" rel="nofollow noreferrer">Illinois News Bureau</a>).</p>

<p><sub><strong>References</strong><br>
<strong>-</strong> <a href="https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/pdf/10.1111/mbe.12117" rel="nofollow noreferrer">Markant <em>et al</em>  Mind, Brain, and Education Society (2016); <strong>10</strong>(3): 142-52</a><br>
<strong>-</strong> <a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/21102449" rel="nofollow noreferrer">Voss <em>et al</em>., <em>Nat Neurosci</em> (2011); <strong>14</strong>(1): 115-20</a></sub></p>

CC BY-SA 4.0
2018-09-11T08:30:42.227Z
2018-09-11T08:47:24.493Z
2018-09-11T08:47:24.493Z
AliceD
<p>I observed I best memorize information when I actively compile it into meaningful hierarchy. That encompasses creating PowerPoint presentations, explaining the topic to someone or writing summaries. I think my active contribution is what matters here.</p>

<p>For a while, I used the term <em>social memory</em> but I've learned it refers rather to <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Observational_learning" rel="nofollow noreferrer">obervational learning</a>. So is there a term for it?</p>

CC BY-SA 4.0
2018-08-22T18:24:36.417Z
It sounds like you are describing *learning strategies* rather than a *type* of memory/learning.
Bryan Krause
<cognitive-psychology><learning><memory><terminology>
What is the learning/memory type which requires active contribution called?
Probably
# What is the learning/memory type which requires active contribution called?

(Asked by: username_0 on 2018-08-22)

I observed I best memorize information when I actively compile it into meaningful hierarchy. That encompasses creating PowerPoint presentations, explaining the topic to someone or writing summaries. I think my active contribution is what matters here.

For a while, I used the term *social memory* but I've learned it refers rather to [obervational learning](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Observational_learning). So is there a term for it?

**Tags:** cognitive-psychology, learning, memory, terminology

> **Comments:**
> **username_1**: It sounds like you are describing *learning strategies* rather than a *type* of memory/learning.  

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## 1 answers

### Answer by username_2 on 2018-09-11. Score: 1 | Accepted answer

**Short answer**  
This type of engaged learning is referred to as active learning.

**Background**  
In contrast to the traditional, mostly passive ways of teaching (one-way lecturing), nowadays there's a trend to [**active learning**](https://cei.umn.edu/active-learning).

> Active learning is any approach to instruction in which all students are asked to engage in the learning process. Active learning stands in contrast to "traditional" modes of instruction in which students are passive recipients of knowledge from an expert.

[Markant *et al* (2016)](https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/pdf/10.1111/mbe.12117) explain in a review article that active learning leads to better outcomes than passive forms of instruction. They summarize that the opportunity to control the information while learning leads to improved memory. Mechanisms involved in this effect include the formation of **sensorimotor associations**, adaptive selection of material and metacognitive monitoring.

Active control over a learning situation results in large areas of the brain being recruited and interconnected during active exploration (source: [Psych Central](https://psychcentral.com/news/2010/12/06/how-active-learning-improves-memory/21563.html)). For example, active exploratory behavior during the observation of objects enhances memory recall [(Voss *et al*., 2011)](https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/21102449), resulting in enhanced activity in the dorsolateral prefrontal cortex, the cerebellum and the hippocampus is higher and more coordinated after active learning (source: [Illinois News Bureau](https://news.illinois.edu/view/6367/205467)).

**References**  
**-** [Markant *et al* Mind, Brain, and Education Society (2016); **10**(3): 142-52](https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/pdf/10.1111/mbe.12117)  
**-** [Voss *et al*., *Nat Neurosci* (2011); **14**(1): 115-20](https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/21102449)


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