Active Learning Posts
Powerful Cooperative Learning Strategies (And One You Can Try Tomorrow)
Discover why cooperative learning strategies boost student engagement and learn the Give One, Get One activity—a simple 10-minute strategy teachers can use tomorrow.
Active Learning is Better Than Passive Learning in Today’s Classrooms
Passive Learning vs Active Learning: What’s the Difference? In many classrooms, learning still looks like this: students sit quietly, listen to lectures, watch videos, complete worksheets, and read silently. These methods fall under passive learning—where...
No More Sit and Get PD: Why Active Learning Professional Development Actually Works
For years, educators have been asked to transform classrooms—to increase student engagement, foster critical thinking, and create meaningful learning experiences. Yet professional development often looks nothing like the classrooms we want teachers to build....
Think-Pair-Share-Pair-Share: A New Twist on a Classic Teaching Strategy
Think-Pair-Share-Pair-Share: A New Twist on a Classic Teaching Strategy by Daniel Biegun If you are a veteran teacher, you are likely familiar with the think-pair-share strategy. This version of the activity takes interaction to the next...
Icebreaker Bingo: The Ultimate Getting to Know You Game
Icebreaker Bingo is the ultimate getting-to-know-you activity for large groups. It is perfect for students at the beginning of a school year or for adult audiences at the beginning of a workshop or conference. Beyond the classroom, you can play Icebreaker Bingo at...
100 Great Questions for the ‘Turn Your Camera On If’ Game
The Turn Your Camera On If game has become very popular over the past year and a half. The game is also frequently called Camera On Camera Off and can be played on Zoom or other virtual platforms with camera access. Teachers, trainers, counselors, and youth group...
Powerful Would You Rather Questions for Virtual or Face-to-Face Experiences
This blog has allowed me to share ideas with educators across the United States and around the world. It has been very interesting to note which topics have been the most popular. Without a doubt, the most popular blog post on this site is How to Play Would You...
More Brain Breaks That Energize, Engage, & Focus Virtual Students
As follows are a few more exciting brain breaks that students of all ages might enjoy. You may also notice that although these particular brain breaks are well-suited for virtual learners, they will also work well in face-to-face or hybrid situations.
How to Enhance Would You Rather Games on Zoom
Would You Rather is such a popular classroom game that many teachers are seeking ideas for how to play it online with their virtual learners. We have previously offered step-by-step instructions detailing how to play Would You Rather virtually with your students....
An Innovative Way to Show Videos During Virtual Teaching
Showing short video clips during virtual teaching can be beneficial. The trick is to ensure that you have an activity planned around a video that will keep your students actively engaged. This idea offers opportunities for students to interact, make...
How to Engage Your Whole Class with Pinch Cards
Teachers are always looking for new ways to engage and educate students. Pinch cards offer simple, but powerful opportunities for students to respond to teacher questions or discussion points. As discussed in a previous blog post, the traditional model of one student...
Opportunities to Respond That Improve Engagement & Learning
Opportunities to respond (OTR) include instances where teachers elicit answers or responses from students. Unfortunately, the traditional OTR involves teachers calling on one student at a time to answer a question. When we call on a single student, it makes it easy...
Scavenger Hunt! Energize Your Class with this Ultimate Virtual Brain Break!
When we are teaching in a face-to-face classroom, it is always a great idea to utilize a Brain Break when needed. Virtual Learners also need opportunities to recharge and re-energize. Some folks might even argue that such activities are even more...
How To Play ‘Would You Rather?’ During a Virtual Lesson
Would You Rather? is both a classic ice breaker game and a powerful educational activity. I find that many teachers are aware of Would You Rather?, but have not considered how it can be used academically. The rules are simple. The...