Active Learning Activities

Group Work Project Contracting

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

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.

Sensation and Perception Lab

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

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.

Nature of Science Ice-Breaker

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

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.

Card Sorting Activities for Mechanics

Real-World Physics: Mini Video Projects

Can I Use the Internet?

Preparation for Future Learning: Electric Flux

Connotation Exercise: Interview and Presentation

Cercles de Lecture (Reading Circles)

Bringing Context to Life: Annotating Research for Reading Novels

Rhetorical Strategies

Forget the Math! Draw Pictures to Learn the Wave Theory of Light

Kinematics Concept Mapping

Circus Launch Clicker Questions

Explosives Detective

Momentum Photoproject

Electrophilic Aromatic Substitution

Home Wiring

Problem Sorting