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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41 Activities

STEM Mathematics

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
Social sciences Humanities

Put Your Theory on Trial

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

Photo by NASA on Unsplash
Applied arts

From Bauhaus to Britney: A Catchall Timeline

Students map key movements in Architecture and Design alongside social, political, artistic, economic, and tech milestones.

Water rat - Photo by Matt Seymour, Unsplash.
STEM Biology

Evolution of Sexual Reproduction: Construct a Species

Students construct a fictional animal species by selecting traits related to sexual reproduction.

Health science

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.

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.

Young university students studying with computer in cafe. Group of people in campus library. College teenager using laptop at table. Group study for school assignment.
Psychology

Sensation and Perception Lab

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

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.

STEM Health science

Data Mining and Sorting: Scaffolding the Exploration of Scientific Articles

The purpose of this activity is to deepen students' understanding of cardiac pathophysiology

Biology Health science

Family Matters : Inclusive Genetics Pedigree

In teams, students will build a pedigree chart and determine inheritance patterns using inclusive pedigree practices.

STEM Physics

Card Sorting Activities for Mechanics

STEM Physics

Real-World Physics: Mini Video Projects

STEM Physics

Controversy in the Science Classroom: Nature of Science Quiz

STEM Biology

Don’t go NUTS: A Case Study on the Physiology of Stress

STEM Mathematics

An Abundance of Bells

STEM Biochemistry

Blended Learning

Humanities

Categorizing for Review

STEM Physics

Two Stage Quiz

STEM Engineering

Interrupted Case Study in Material Engineering

Interdisciplinary

Yeas and Nays: Using Smartphones for Gathering Data

Social sciences Applied arts STEM Health science

Solving World Issues One Smartphone at a Time

Languages and Literature

Bringing Context to Life: Annotating Research for Reading Novels

STEM Mathematics

Two Stage Calculus Quiz

Languages and Literature

Having Students Read and Apply Essay Feedback