Active Learning Activities

Earth History Walk

A self-guided walk exploring how – and why – Earth changed over its 4.6 billion year history.

Group Work Project Contracting

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

The Heart of the Matter: Exploring Exercise in Cardiac Disease

Before class, students read an article and gather 5 elements. In class, they "pool" findings and sort into categories.

Data Mining and Sorting: Scaffolding the Exploration of Scientific Articles

The purpose of this activity is to deepen students' understanding of cardiac pathophysiology.

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

Card Sorting Activities for Mechanics

This activity encourages students to classify cards according to various criteria to make concept connections.

Categorizing for Review

The aim of this single-class activity is to help students consolidate their knowledge and review concepts seen in class.

Peer Review, Assessment & Feedback

Students gain experience with a model of writing which employs Peer Assessment as the Active Learning strategy.

Building Effective Teams

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

Photosynthesis: Light Dependent Reactions

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

Action-Learning Sets

Who am I: (Mis)conceptions of Self

Does X Associate with Y?

Homeostasis: Mapping the Endocrine System

Peer Review Calibration and Constructive Feedback Workshop

This activity's goal is to familiarize students with the peer review process and teach them how to accept peer criticism.

Engineering Poster Presentations with Peer Assessment

Biological Molecules

Kinematics Concept Mapping

Elemental Superhero

Students select a periodic table chemical element, research it, then create a comic book character based on the element.

Home Wiring

Photo Concept Maps: Parts 1, 2 & 3