Active Learning Activities

Active learning activities are tailored to specific learning outcomes and content. They incorporate one or more of the evidence-based strategies. Structured to expose their theoretical underpinnings, the activities can be used by practitioners and researchers alike.

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42 Activities

Humanities Social sciences

Group Work Project Contracting

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

Photo by Conny Schneider from Unsplash
Humanities Social sciences

Put Your Theory on Trial

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

Water rat - Photo by Matt Seymour, Unsplash.
Biology STEM

Evolution of Sexual Reproduction: Construct a Species

Students construct a fictional animal species by selecting traits related to sexual reproduction.

Health science

Safety First! Rank and Sort Case for Clinical Reasoning Skills

Case-based ranking & sorting activities based on pre-class quiz on exercise safety in a client with a cardiac condition.

Elementary school science teacher in biology class
Interdisciplinary

Snowball Starter: Goals of Science Education

In this activity, the snowball strategy links students' prior beliefs to a deeper inquiry of science education goals.

Young university students studying with computer in cafe. Group of people in campus library. College teenager using laptop at table. Group study for school assignment.
Psychology

Sensation and Perception Lab

The lab explores the senses of taste, smell, touch, proprioception and vision.

Physics

Nature of Science Ice-Breaker

A first class ice-breaker activity introducing the nature of science.

Health science Biology

Family Matters : Inclusive Genetics Pedigree

In teams, students will build a pedigree chart and determine inheritance patterns using inclusive pedigree practices.

Interdisciplinary Languages and Literature

It’s All in the Delivery: 6 Rounds to Effective Presentation

Groups of students orally present a poem six times, focusing on six key aspect of effective oral presentations

Health science

Rough Draft Workshop: Group Peer Assessment Jigsaw Activity for Case Study or Procedural Writing

Students bring a rough draft of a written group project for peer evaluation and feedback

Physics STEM

Real-World Physics: Mini Video Projects

Biology STEM

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

Mathematics STEM

An Abundance of Bells

Biochemistry STEM

Blended Learning

Humanities

Low Stakes Debate

Humanities Interdisciplinary

Peer Review, Assessment & Feedback

Engineering STEM

Interrupted Case Study in Material Engineering

Interdisciplinary

Yeas and Nays: Using Smartphones for Gathering Data

Applied arts STEM Health science Social sciences

Solving World Issues One Smartphone at a Time

Social sciences

Schools of Thought in Psychology

Biology Chemistry Engineering STEM

Building Effective Teams

Chemistry STEM

If You’re Not Part of the Solution You’re Part of the Precipitate

Photo by Samuel Austin on Unsplash
Biology STEM

Photosynthesis: Light Dependent Reactions

Biology STEM

From “yum” to “yuk”: a case in point… mutation