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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36 Activities

Photo by Conny Schneider from Unsplash
Social sciences Humanities

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.
STEM Biology

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.

Social sciences Psychology

More Than One Way to Cook an Egg: Exploring Gardner’s Theory of Multiple Intelligences

Teams explore Gardner's Theory, present one component, summarize presentation content, and conduct a self-assessment.

Physics

Nature of Science Ice-Breaker

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

Biology Health science

Family Matters : Inclusive Genetics Pedigree

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

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

Health science

Communicable Puzzles: Children’s Most Common Infectious Diseases

Using the Jigsaw strategy, students become an “expert” for one communicable disease through self-directed research.

STEM Biology

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

Social sciences Humanities

Can I Use the Internet?

STEM Mathematics

An Abundance of Bells

STEM Biochemistry

Blended Learning

Humanities

Low Stakes Debate

Languages and Literature

Cercles de Lecture (Reading Circles)

Languages and Literature

Bringing Context to Life: Annotating Research for Reading Novels

Languages and Literature

Rhetorical Strategies

Languages and Literature

Having Students Read and Apply Essay Feedback

Environmental science

Jigsaw Geography Presentation

Social sciences Humanities

Ctrl + Alt + Del: PTSD and Neuroplasticity

STEM Biology

Organic Food vs GMOs

STEM Biology

Protein Separation

STEM Biology

Homeostasis: Mapping the Endocrine System