Which Type of Learning Exercise to Use When?

• In Event: 3123 - Teaching and Learning Symposium: Workshop on Engaging Student Learning

Abstract

This workshop will show instructors how to promote student learning and engagement by using a variety of types of active learning activities both over the course of a single class session and a semester. For any class session, it is a good idea to start with something that helps students focus on the day's work, such as an informal writing exercise or a Monte Carlo quiz. Longer more reflective exercises can be assigned for homework and shorter group exercises (e.g., data interpretation) can be done in class. Examples of exercises we will present include:

• Monte Carlo quizzes on assigned reading

• Writing and discussion prompts on assigned reading
• Creating Gender by Designing Candles
In this exercise, students suggest designs for candles especially for men. Answering the accompanying questions help them identify the social construction of gender.
• Women in Leadership Positions
While doing this exercise, students look at data on leaders in politics, business, and education and propose a college curriculum to close the gender gap.
• Maps, History, and Power
This exercise allows students to see and discuss how maps work to shape history and promote the perspective of dominant racial groups.
• Race Relations as Seen on Television
In this exercise, students watch a clip of the show Black-ish and answer questions about its perspective on race relations.
• The Waiting Game
Through carrying out this exercise, students learn what happens to refugees who make it to the United States and request asylum.

Participants in the workshop will leave with a better understanding of how to balance active learning exercises and a variety of exercises that they can use in their classes.

Authors

• Maxine P. Atkinson, North Carolina State University

• Kathleen Odell Korgen, William Paterson University