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.

Past, Present & Future: A Belize Timeline

Students collaborate to create a historical timeline for a country they will soon be travelling to.

Running on Water: Activating Prior Knowledge of Static Equilibrium

Students watch, discuss, then analyze the veracity of a video in which hydrophobic shoes allow people to run on water.

Snowball Starter: Goals of Science Education

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

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.

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

Can I Use the Internet?

Peerwise Assignment: Human Body

Categorizing for Review

Peer Review, Assessment & Feedback

Gender Socialization throughout the Life Course

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

Solving World Issues One Smartphone at a Time

4 Sociological Perspectives: Working with Theoretical Frameworks

The Perry Scheme of Intellectual Development

Let’s Role Play the French Revolution!

Action-Learning Sets

Understanding Terminology Using Jigsaw

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

Teacher for a Day: Defining a Definition

Forces Scavenger Hunt

Home Wiring

Interacting Objects

Problem Sorting Review