Active Learning Activities

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.

Put Your Thesis on Trial

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

Safety First! Rank and Sort Case for Clinical Reasoning Skills

Case-based ranking & sorting activities based on pre-class quiz on exercise safety in a client with a cardiac condition.

Peer Review, Assessment & Feedback

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

Acid Base Equilibrium

Students learn how to problem solve and review their peers in a low stakes situation (no grades).

Interrupted Case Study in Material Engineering

This activity uses real life case study examples to give students a more in-depth look at analytics.

This Field Day of Mine

This activity takes a look at the environmental impact of mining and the quantification of environmental contaminants.

Sustainability Development Plan (Part 1 and Part 2)

In this activity, students learn to define sustainability and apply this to a single Montreal neighbourhood. 

Fireweed and Seals, oh my! Mini Cases in Population Ecology

A Self Introduction to Nomenclature in Chemistry

In this activity, students are presented with the concepts of nomenclature in organic chemistry to encourage self learning.

The Sailing Iguanas: A Mini Case in Speciation

Understanding Agro-Ecosystems by Observing, Writing & Discussing

In this semester-long activity, students visit a farm several times to engage in a critical analysis of that ecosystem.

Mine Ventilation Design

In this semester-long activity, students design and analyze mine ventilation systems as well as problem-solving skills.

Teacher for a Day: Defining a Definition

Museum Tour

In this version of a gallery walk, students create mind maps, showcase them in the class, and peer-review each other's work.

Jigsaw Geography Presentation

Holding Your Seat: A Mindfulness Exercise

Defining a Definition

In this single-class activity, students practice problem-solving related to definitions.

Do You Know Your Stereochemistry?

Students collaborate and learn from each other on how to interpret molecules in 3D based on molecular drawings.

Presentation skills: Conveying emotion

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.

Geography Video Test

The aim of this project is to get students thinking about facts and concepts related to rivers in the field (in real life!).

Concept Map: Furniture Design Time Ripple