Quizzing and Polling Quizzing and polling are active learning strategies that involve students responding to questions during or outside of class. These methods can be used to check understanding, stimulate discussion, provide feedback, and promote metacognition. Alternative/linked methods: Classroom Assessment Techniques…
Pre-Testing Pre-testing involves giving students a short, low-stakes quiz or set of questions before formal instruction begins. It serves multiple purposes: activating prior knowledge, surfacing misconceptions, and conveying learning objectives. Alternative/linked methods: Pre-questioning, Pre-instruction testing, Diagnostic assessment, Formative pre-assessment, First-day quiz …
Place the Term/Group Sorting The ‘Group Sorting/Place the Term’ method involves presenting students with a list of problems or concepts and asking them to sort these terms into categories. This activity helps students organize their knowledge and understand the relationships…
One-Minute Paper The One-Minute Paper is a quick technique where students spend 60 seconds writing responses to prompts about the day’s lesson. This method helps teachers gauge student understanding and identify areas needing clarification. Alternative/linked methods: Minute Paper, Quick Write,…
Muddiest Point The “Muddiest Point” is a classroom assessment technique (C.A.T.) that allows students to identify and communicate the part of a lesson they find most confusing. This method helps instructors pinpoint areas where students are struggling and address these…
Concept Mapping Concept Mapping is a visual learning strategy where learners create diagrams to represent relationships between concepts. It supports meaningful learning, critical thinking, and the integration of theory with practice. Alternative/linked methods: Mind Mapping, Knowledge Mapping, Cognitive Mapping, Group Concept…
Clarification Pauses Clarification Pauses/The Pause Procedure involves taking strategic pauses during a lecture to allow students to review notes, discuss key points, and clarify misunderstandings. Alternative/linked methods: Pause Procedure Why? How? When? Get Started Digital Enhancement Resources
Individual Activity Brainstorming Brainstorming is a flexible, student-centred strategy that promotes the generation of ideas, exploration of concepts, and collaborative problem-solving. It emphasizes quantity over quality in the initial stages and encourages non-judgmental participation. Alternative/linked methods: Brain Dump, Silent Brainstorming, Nominal…
Individual Activity Ask an Expert The ‘Ask an Expert’ active learning method involves students engaging with experts in a particular field to enhance their understanding and skills. This can be done through various formats such as text, chat, writing activities,…
Individual Activity Think-Pair-Share Think-Pair-Share (TPS) is a scaffolding technique devised by Frank Lyman in the early 1980s. It encourages students to think individually about a topic, discuss their thoughts with a partner, and then share their ideas with the larger…
