For the past few decades the leading paradigm for teaching and learning is that of constructivism. It states that people construct their own knowledge through experience and reflecting on those experiences. New information is built on top of and interacts with existing information which leads to the creation of new knowledge. In this view, knowledge is not something that exists on its own and that can be transferred, but every individual has to creat the knowledge for him or herself. So for students to learn, they should be active instead of passive. Also, the focus in teaching and learning lies on the student, not on the teacher.

In summary: within the constructivist view, knowledge is constructed, teaching and learning should be student-centered and students should be active. Optional: for more information about constructivism, see this website.

So what is the role of the teacher then? They should design courses in such a way that students get the opportunity to create their own knowledge, to learn. Not by transferring knowledge, but by stimulating students to actively engage with the course materials, for example through discussions, assignments, field work, role play, problem solving etc.
Of course information will have to tranferred to the students one way or the other, they need to have something to engage with after all. But as we have seen, the learning does’t end there, it is actually the starting point. When designing and teaching a course, constantly ask yourself: what should my students do that will make them learn?

Optional reading
Not yet convinced of the importance of active learning? Read ‘Let Them Play the Game‘ by Sarah Demers, assistant professor of physics at Yale University.