Active Learning Activities

Group Work Project Contracting

For instructors planning student group work projects over many weeks or months.

Two-stage Testing for Second-year Math Students

Students are given four 2-stage tests throughout a semester; 1st stage written individually, 2nd students work in groups.

Put Your Theory on Trial

Scaffolded debate that explores the nuances of a belief that the teacher has introduced.

Silent Discussion

Conduct a discussion in your class without students ever speaking a word!

Reimagining the Reading Quiz: Peer Instruction in English

Students do a reading quiz in class and revise their answers after developing and sharing a rationale for their choice.

To Pass or Not to Pass: Acting out Membrane Transport

Aim of the activity is to increase students’ understanding of molecules’ movement through the cell membrane.

Don’t go NUTS: A Case Study on the Physiology of Stress

Peerwise Assignment: Human Body

Categorizing for Review

Connotation Exercise: Interview and Presentation

Three-Tiered Writing

Mouse Coat Colour

Homophones Talent Show

Fireweed and Seals, oh my! Mini Cases in Population Ecology

The Sailing Iguanas: A Mini Case in Speciation

AR’e You Talking to Me? Mini Case Study in Cell Signalling

Now you see me, Now you don’t: Fluorescent Tagging Membranes

What Numbers Tell us about Enzyme Inhibition

PCR CAG HUNTING’ton

Photosynthesis: Light Dependent Reactions

From “Yum” to “Yuk”: A Case in Point… Mutation

It’s All Hormonal: A Class Activity on Cushing’s Syndrome

The Genetics of PTC Sensitivity and Tongue Rolling

Cloning of the Human Insulin Gene