Active Learning

  Active Learning Bingo

Below, you'll find a Bingo card filled with active learning techniques. Think about your teaching style and check off the activities you've tried before or are interested in exploring. Can you get three in a row?

Active Learning Bingo
  •  Class Discussions: Facilitate open-ended discussions in class or online.
  •  Think-Pair-Share: Give students time to think, discuss with a partner, and share insights with the class.
  •  Mini Lecture: Incorporate short lectures with pauses for student engagement.
  •  Role Playing: Encourage students to explore topics through different perspectives.
  •  Peer Review: Let students review and give feedback on each other's work.
  •  Game-Based Learning: Use games or simulations to teach key concepts.
  •  Problem Solving with Real Data: Provide students with data to solve real-world problems.
  •  Small Group Work: Divide students into groups for collaborative discussions or activities.
  •  Short Written Assignments: Have students summarize or reflect on class content.

Once you’ve completed your Bingo, scroll down to dive deeper into these techniques and learn how to integrate them into your classroom!

Engaging Students Through Participation

Active learning transforms the classroom into an interactive space where students engage with the material, think critically, and participate in meaningful activities. It’s all about moving away from passive listening to active participation, helping students deepen their understanding and retention of the subject matter.

In contrast to traditional lectures, active learning focuses on engagement and interaction, requiring students to take an active role in their learning journey.

Simple Active Learning Strategies

Here are two easy ways to add active learning to your lectures:

  1. Mini Lectures:
    • Deliver a short, 10-20 minute lecture on a specific topic.
    • Pause to let students review their notes, identify gaps, and collaborate with peers to fill those gaps.
  2. Active Listening Lectures:
    • Present for 10-20 minutes without requiring note-taking.
    • Follow up with a small group activity where students recall and elaborate on what they learned.

Creative Active Learning Techniques

Looking for more ways to energize your classroom? Try these ideas:

  • Class Discussions: Center discussions on open-ended questions that encourage critical thinking.
  • Small Groups: Let students collaborate in pairs or teams to solve problems or share insights.
  • Think-Pair-Share: Give students time to reflect individually, discuss with a partner, and then share with the class.
  • Short Written Assignments: End class with a quick reflective writing activity to summarize key points.
  • Peer Review: Encourage students to evaluate and provide constructive feedback on each other’s work.
  • Role Playing: Assign students roles to explore topics from different perspectives.
  • Problem Solving with Real Data: Use real-world data for students to analyze and solve scientific or practical questions.
  • Just-In-Time Teaching: Assign readings or short questions before class, then use their responses to guide in-class activities.
  • Game-Based Learning: Incorporate competitive exercises or simulations to make learning fun and engaging.

Active learning creates a dynamic and inclusive classroom environment, helping students connect with the material and each other. Explore these strategies and find what works best for your course!

Explore other active learning strategies using these online, interactive active learning cards, developed by ASSETT (Arts & Sciences Support of Education Through Technology).

Further Reading & Resources:

   from Inside Higher Ed

    (PNAS 2014) 

    (PNAS 2020)