Active learning is any learning with effort. For example:

1. You read something and then write notes in your own words.

2. You watch a video and then summarise and reflect in your own words at various intervals.

3. You listen to a podcast and then write down everything you can remember about it.

4. You listen to a discussion and then provide your example.

5. You ask probing questions, for instance, is this always, sometimes or never true? Or what is the same and what is different?

Active learning engenders flow states:

When we learn actively we are growing and challenging our existing skills.

When we learn actively we go into a state of flow, in other words, being in the zone, and totally absorbed in the (active) task to the exclusion of all else.

According to Stephen Kotler, who leads the Flow Research Collective, flow is an incredibly beneficial state to experience, and being in flow increases happiness, resilience and creativity.

So the next time you cut and paste an article on the internet, consider instead writing it in your own words. You may be surprised by how much this effort affects your understanding, learning, and well-being.