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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45 Activities

Mathematics STEM

Two-stage Testing for Second-year Math Students

Students are given four 2-stage tests throughout a semester; 1st stage written individually, 2nd students work in groups.

Photo by Conny Schneider from Unsplash
Humanities Social sciences

Put Your Theory on Trial

Scaffolded debate that explores the nuances of a belief that the teacher has introduced.

Photo by Michael Fenton from Unsplash
Languages and Literature

Taskmaster: Diction Icebreakers

These gamified activities will help sensitize students to the nuances of diction and allow them to work together.

Mathematics

Crossing Dimensions: A Math Odyssey into Cross Products

In groups, students learn about orthogonality and cross products by creating geometrical shapes.

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.

Psychology Social sciences

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.

Health science

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.

Health science Interdisciplinary

Cross-Disciplinary Synergy 101: Uniting Expertise for Success

In teams, students interact, share information on their profession, and create cases where each discipline is needed

Chemistry

Crash Course: Collision Theory

Students use PhET simulation to learn how factors affect reaction rate (collision theory) through hands-on activities

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

Physics STEM

Controversy in the Science Classroom: Nature of Science Quiz

Biology STEM

Feeling Feverish: Homeostasis of Pyrexia

Humanities Social sciences

Can I Use the Internet?

Mathematics STEM

An Abundance of Bells

STEM Biology Social sciences

Peerwise Assignment: Human Body

Humanities Interdisciplinary

Peer Review, Assessment & Feedback

Chemistry STEM

CLAW At-Home Experiment: Crystallization of Borax

Chemistry STEM

CLAW At-Home Experiment: Organic Chemistry Introduction to Solubility

Social sciences

Gender Socialization throughout the Life Course

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

Chemistry STEM

CLAW At-Home Experiment: Spectrophotometry Using Gatorade

Chemistry STEM

CLAW At-Home Experiment: Volumetric Analysis of Household Acid with Cabbage Juice

Chemistry STEM

CLAW At-Home Experiment: Paper Chromatography of Food Dyes and Ink

Chemistry STEM

CLAW At-Home Experiment: Colligative Properties

Chemistry STEM

CLAW At-Home Experiment: Activation Energy in Chemical Kinetics