This is a report of a workshop presented at the Third Congress of the African Association of Physiological Sciences, Pretoria, South Africa, September 7–8, 2000.

The workshop was attended by approximately 35 participants, about half of whom were from Africa and half from elsewhere, primarily North America and Europe. The program was organized by Kayode Adeniyi, Ph.D. (AFRET, Durban, South Africa); Dee U. Silverthorn, Ph.D., University of Texas; and Penelope A. Hansen, Ph.D., Memorial University of Newfoundland with the support of the Physiological Society of Southern Africa, the American Physiological Society, and the International Union of Physiological Sciences.

Preregistered participants responded to an electronic needs assessment, the results of which assisted in planning the workshop program. The principal barriers to implementing active learning identified by respondents were the large number of students compared to teaching staff; lack of knowledge about and experience with active learning methods; and lack of physical resources such as small group rooms, lab space and equipment, and computer facilities. Respondents were also asked to state their personal objectives for participation and, at the workshop closure, evaluated their success in achieving these.

The workshop goal was to explore opportunities and obstacles for the enhancement of active learning of physiology. The objectives were: