To overcome student resistance to active learning, consider the following

• Begin using active learning strategies early in the term. Introduce the concept on the first day of class and let students know that they will be expected to participate in such strategies throughout the course.
• Be true to your word and use active learning frequently–at least once a class period initially. After the first several sessions, students will understand that you're serious about active learning and will accept their role as participants readily.
• Give clear instructions. State the goal students should meet, how much time they have for the activity, what procedures they should follow, and with whom they should partner (ie, "turn to the person next to you" or "form groups of four with the people nearest you.") It is often a good idea to put directions for in-class activities on an overhead or a PowerPoint slide so that students have something to refer to as they begin the activity.
• Explain to students why you're using active learning and the benefits they can expect from it.
• Be committed to your choice to use active learning and communicate that confidently to students. Students will be put at ease if they understand that you're in charge and have good reasons for what you're doing.
• Manually break students into groups. This can be an effective way to overcome student reluctance and demonstrate that you're in charge.
• Start small and simple. Use low-impact strategies such as think-pair-share or in-class writing exercises. These strategies are easy to implement, take only a few minutes, and are "low stakes" for students who may be unsure or uncomfortable. As you and your students gain experience, you may decide to graduate to more involved activities.