Active Learning Activities

Keeping Up With the Trends

This activity is aimed at getting students to be able to write sound, scientific rationales for observed phenomena.

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!

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.

Who Are You? A Multidimensional Examination of Self-Concept

Students investigate their self-concept, compare it to a classmate, assess differences between self- and social perception.

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.

Categorizing for Review

Connotation Exercise: Interview and Presentation

Gender Socialization throughout the Life Course

Students complete a grid that illustrates different life periods that reinforce gender narratives.

Schools of Thought in Psychology

4 Sociological Perspectives: Working with Theoretical Frameworks

The Perry Scheme of Intellectual Development

Let’s Role Play the French Revolution!

Reflective Reading on Islam

Students use homework questions to prompt a deeper engagement with the reading material to generate better class discussion.

Identity Dot Exercise

Rhetorical Strategies

Putting the “You” in Education: Using Self-reflections for Learning

Understanding Terminology Using Jigsaw

Having Students Read and Apply Essay Feedback

Holding Your Seat: A Mindfulness Exercise

Teacher for a Day: Defining a Definition

Organic Chemistry Flipped Classroom

Presentation skills: Conveying emotion

Limestone Rescue