Active Learning Activities

Constructive Commentary

This activity guides students through set steps and strategies to comment on their peers' creative writing.

Editing Exercise: Mock Academic Conference

Research, writing & editing activity that builds interpretive skills and the ability to incorporate research.

Peer Review for Beginners

This peer-review activity for English 101 aims to help students improve their essays, but also to develop evaluation skills.

Group Work Project Contracting

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

Silent Discussion

Conduct a discussion in your class without students ever speaking a word!

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

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

Controversy in the Science Classroom: Nature of Science Quiz

Can I Use the Internet?

Peerwise Assignment: Human Body

Peer Review, Assessment & Feedback

Gender Socialization throughout the Life Course

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

Harvard Implicit Bias Test

Building Effective Teams

4 Sociological Perspectives: Working with Theoretical Frameworks

The Perry Scheme of Intellectual Development

Homophones Talent Show

Reflective Reading on Islam

Students use homework questions to prompt a deeper engagement with the reading material to generate better class discussion.

Photosynthesis: Light Dependent Reactions

From “Yum” to “Yuk”: A Case in Point… Mutation

Putting the “You” in Education: Using Self-reflections for Learning

Having Students Read and Apply Essay Feedback

Holding Your Seat: A Mindfulness Exercise

Organic Chemistry Flipped Classroom