Other Tips from CSUN Faculty

OVERVIEW: OTHER TIPS FROM CSUN FACULTY

The following pages in this module contain active learning strategies shared by your faculty colleagues. Choose from the topics below.

How Do I Create Student Collaboration in the Classroom?

Exponential Think Pair and Share
As an extension of the traditional "think-pair-share," students form larger and larger teams to teach each other.

Four Corners
Allows for a lively, informal debate as students take a corner of the room to agree or disagree on a topic. Watch CSUN Professor Steve Holle provide a brief demonstration of a Four Corners activity Links to an external site..

Mindmap
Students sketch an idea or concept discussed in class, even if they are not artists.

Networking Activity
Students are given real-life networking scenarios and work in pairs to practice networking.

Placemats
Students create a collage of responses to an instructor prompt--working both individually and in groups. Watch CSUN Professor Steve Holle provide a brief demonstration of a Placemats activity.

Reading Through Pictures
Students draw pictures to represent class readings and then discuss their drawings, thus discussing the reading.

Websites to Encourage Class Engagement
Using sites like Poll Everywhere, students answer questions anonymously and interact with each other.

 

What Does It Mean to Let Students be Teachers?

Constructive Peer Review
Students learn how to evaluate each others' work in a fun and useful way.

Generating a Product for an External Audience
Students create something (such as a Wikipedia article) that people outside of the class can rate.

Guiding Thoughts on Readings
As they enter the room, students write feedback on large paper and then discuss as a group.

Post-Assignment Sharing
Help students understand the "point" of an assignment and allow for discussion throughout the semester.

Sharing with Friends and Family
Students pretend to explain an assignment or project to a friend or family member, demonstrating that they truly understand it.

Ten Ways to Start Discussions
Based on Peter Frederick's article, this guide provides ten strategies to engage students in discussion.

Speaker of the House
One student is selected at random to present, like the speaker of the house, the main points of the day's class.

 

How Do I Build Community in the Classroom?

Awards at End of Class
At the end of the semester, students have a mini awards ceremony in the spirit of the Academy Awards, complete with winners' speeches.

Cultivating Organic Traditions
Ideas to establish fun and unique traditions in your classroom: for example if you flash the lights twice, there is a class discussion.

Encouraging Self Care
Students identify and share stress management techniques.

Establishing Expectations
Help students work together effectively through establishing guidelines together.

Explaining the Rationale for a Collaborative Class
Discuss as a group the benefits of group work.

Speed Meet-and-Greets
Like speed dating, but this is a way for your students to quickly discuss class readings and activities.

Download Managing Different Communication Styles (.pdf)


How do you communicate with your students and how do they communicate with you? This chart provides an easy self-assessment.

 

What Are Some Tips for Group Work Assignments?

Group Names
In this activity, students collaborate to create a name for their group.

Intentional Group Formation
Students form groups based on their interests.