Absorb activities consist of and give information. During these activities, learners are usually passive but they actively get, process, consider and judge information. The content is really important in these activities.
There are four common types of Absorb activities.
1) Presentations: These are slide shows, demonstrations, videos etc. that learners watch or listen to. They give information and demonstrate and explain things to learners. They have a sequential structure. They usually consist of introduction, body parts and summary. In the introduction part, the topic and its value are explained to the learner. In the body parts, each segment explains a concept, answers a question or makes a point. In the summary part, most important parts of the presentation are gone through again. Presentations also have several types. They are slide shows, physical demonstrations, software demonstrations, informational films, dramas and discussions. All these types enable people to get information. Slide shows give us information through text and graphics and they can be really effective if the designer knows how to make them. Physical demonstrations show how a physical procedure such as doing push-ups or wearing contact lenses is done. Software demonstrations show how to use a software program or do something with it. Informational films give information about something as their name suggests. Dramas are also similar to informational films but they have a storyline which makes the learners interested. Discussions can show people other opinions and allow them to have their own opinion after that.
2) Readings: These activities enable the learners to use printed or electronic documents. Learners get important information from these. We can use these activities when learners need deeper information and they are motivated readers. There are different types of documents that could be useful in e-learning such as text books, reports, data sheets, diaries and journals, newspapers, blogs etc. You can also create an online library and/or provide useful reading links for your learners.
3) Stories by a Teacher: Stories that someone ─ in this case, a teacher ─ have a great impact on people. They have happened and usually carry a deep and meaningful message. And listeners remember them. They are effective in classrooms, and they would be effective in virtual classrooms, too. We can use them to make a point and encourage and motivate the learners.
4) Field Trips: Online field trips enable the students to observe examples of what they are learning. Students learning geology can examine various types of rocks through online field trips. They can give the students a break from the lesson but more importantly, let them see the concrete examples of the abstract things they are learning. This can be really effective in their learning and motivate them.
Absorb activities can be even more beneficial if they are combined with Do activities. In this way, learners can practice what they’ve learned and the information they got will be more permanent.
