Active Learning Ideas

Below are some active learning ideas to help start the process of talking out and brainstorming ideas. There is no one size fits all options for active learning. Each individual faculty or staff member will need to decide whats work best to convey the lessons being taught

  • Students discuss concepts, solve problems, and share their perspectives with each other.

  • Students work on real-world problems or case studies, applying their knowledge to practical situations.

  • Students take turns teaching concepts to each other, reinforcing their understanding of the material.

  • Instructors incorporate interactive elements like polls, quizzes, or discussions within lectures to keep students engaged.

  • Students act out scenarios related to the subject matter, enhancing their understanding through a more immersive experience.

  • Students individually think about a question or problem, discuss their thoughts with a partner, and then share their ideas with the larger group.

  • Students engage with course materials independently before class, allowing in-class time for activities, discussions, and application of knowledge.

  • Students become experts on specific topics and then teach their peers, fostering collaboration and deepening understanding across the group.

  • Students circulate around the classroom to view and discuss visual representations, charts, or projects related to the lesson, promoting active engagement and peer learning.

  • Students research and present arguments on opposing sides of a topic, honing critical thinking skills and encouraging respectful discourse.

  • Students participate in simulated real-world scenarios or historical events, applying theoretical knowledge to practical situations and enhancing problem-solving abilities.

  • Students visually represent relationships between ideas or concepts, promoting deeper understanding and helping to organize complex information.

  • Students engage in structured discussions led by open-ended questions, encouraging critical thinking, active listening, and respectful dialogue.

  • Students provide feedback on each other's work, fostering a culture of collaboration, constructive criticism, and continuous improvement.

  • Students apply classroom knowledge to address real community needs through hands-on projects, promoting civic engagement and experiential learning.

  • Incorporate game elements such as points, badges, and leaderboards into learning activities to increase motivation and engagement while reinforcing learning objectives.

  • Design immersive scenarios where students must solve puzzles and complete challenges related to course content to "escape," promoting teamwork, critical thinking, and problem-solving skills.

  • Utilize online platforms that offer interactive quizzes with immediate feedback, allowing students to assess their understanding in a self-paced and engaging manner.

  • Present students with a mystery or problem to solve using scientific inquiry and experimentation, fostering curiosity, hypothesis testing, and analytical skills.

  • Have students co-create digital stories or narratives using multimedia tools, integrating course concepts into creative projects while developing communication and digital literacy skills.

  • Create scavenger hunts where students search for information or clues related to course content, promoting active learning, collaboration, and exploration of resources.

  • Use virtual reality environments to immerse students in realistic scenarios relevant to the subject matter, allowing for experiential learning and skill development in a safe and controlled setting.

  • Engage students in outdoor or experiential activities that require teamwork, problem-solving, and decision-making skills, connecting learning objectives to real-world challenges and experiences.

  • Integrate coding challenges or programming tasks into the curriculum, providing hands-on experience with computational thinking and problem-solving in fields such as computer science or engineering.

  • Adapt existing board games or create custom games that incorporate course content and learning objectives, offering a fun and interactive way for students to apply knowledge and strategies while fostering social interaction.