Session Handout-Active Learning Principles and Strategies

4. Opinion
spectrum
What is it? •Pose a question or issue on which there will likely be varied responses
•Establish poles on a spectrum (e.g., Agree/Disagree) •Students move themselves to
physically represent their “stance” on the issue • Ask students to articulate their view or an
opposing viewpoint
Why is it worth doing? •Gets students out of their seats—can be a good break in a lecture
•Can visually see differences in opinions and how opinions shift over time
5. Jigsaw What is it? •Assign different readings to different students (e.g., some students read
section 1, others section 2, etc.) •Students who read the same reading meet to discuss
and solidify their understanding •Then, students are paired with others who have read
different materials •Students teach each other the content
Why is it worth doing? •In teaching others, students understand and retain more
•Exposes students to a greater amount of material while limiting the amount of reading for
each individual student
6. Quick whip What is it? •Each member of the class quickly shares a comment, idea or question.
Why is it worth doing? •Everyone participates •Lots of ideas are shared quickly
7. Exit slips What is it? •In the closing minutes of class, students respond to a prompt or question (e.g.,
What is the stickiest/most unclear point? The main idea for today is…)
Why is it worth doing? •Provides feedback on students’ understanding, questions, etc.
•Provides opportunities for students to consolidate what was learned •If graded, exit slips
provide an incentive to not leave early
Also discussed during this session: •Student-created case studies •Mind maps •Learning journals •Fish-bowl
discussion •10 Suggestions to improve a lecture •10 Steps when facilitating experiential activities •10 Time
savers when active learning takes time •10 Interventions when students get out of hand
Many of these tips and activities have been taken directly or indirectly from:
Silberman, M. (1996). Active learning: 101 Strategies to teach any subject. Boston, MA: Allyn & Bacon.
For workshop materials, please email me at: bradley.bergey@temple.edu
New Teaching Assistantship Orientation | Teaching & Learning Center | Bradley Bergey | p. 2