Active Learning Activities

Practical Activities for Every Classroom - Inspire Participation, Deepen Understanding, Transform Student Learning

CAFE ACTIVE LEARNING MENU: Quick Teaching Strategies for Any Class

The CAFE menu breaks active learning activities down into possible times they can be affectively used during class.

decor APPETIZERS - Quick Lecture Breaks (2–5 minutes)
Quickly checks understanding or to regain attention.
• Crowd Crumple decorative
• Focused Listing
• Minute Paper
• Muddiest Point
• One-Sentence Summary
• Post-It Parade
• Ques-cussion
• Whip Around
Tip: Insert every 10–15 minutes during lecture.

decorative SIDE DISHES - Partner Activities (5–10 minutes)
Students clarify ideas through peer discussion.
• Direct Paraphrasing
• Jumbled Sequence
• Note Exchange
• Think–Pair–Share
Tip: Great for helping quieter students participate.

decorative DESSERTS - End-of-Class Reflection
• Exit Ticket
• Muddiest Point
• One-Sentence Summary
Tip: Helps instructors see what students learned.

decorative MAIN COURSES - Small Group (10–20 minutes)
Promotes collaboration and deeper thinking.
• Application Cards
• Case Studies
• Categorizing Grids
• Concept Map
• Content, Form & Function Matrix
• Documented Problem Solution
• Escape Room
• Jigsaw Discussion
• Predict-Observe-Explain
• Pro-Con Grids decorative
• What is the Principle?
Tip: Have students apply course concepts.

decorative SPECIALS - Whole-Class Engagement (10–25 minutes)
High-energy activities.
• Dot-ocracy
• Fishbowl
• Four Corners
• Gallery Walk
• Human Histogram
• Send-A-Problem
Tip: Great to motivate debates and idea prioritization.

decorative The computer icon indicates an activity that is online or hybrid-friendly - see individual pages for more details.

Alphabetic Listing of Active Learning Activities

Application Cards

Students apply a newly learned concept by writing a real-world example, which the instructor evaluates and uses to highlight strong applications for the class.

Case Studies

Case studies engage students in analyzing complex, real-world situations from multiple perspectives to explore problems, ethical dilemmas, and nuanced subject matter without clear solutions.

Categorizing Grids

Students categorize related items into given concepts or groups within a set time and explain their reasoning, with feedback provided to refine understanding.

Concept Map

Students create visual representations of relationships between concepts to uncover connections and construct their own understanding.

Concept, Form, & Function Matrix

Students analyze a communication artifact using a three-column matrix—content, form, and function—to develop their analytical skills.

Crowd Crumple

Students anonymously share questions or responses by crumpling and tossing papers, which are then read aloud to the class.

Directed Pararaphrasing

Students paraphrase lesson content for a specific audience and purpose to practice translating specialized information into accessible, real-world communication.

Documented Problem Solving

Students explain their step-by-step problem-solving process to build metacognition and reflect on ways to improve.

Dot-ocracy

Students use dot stickers on a shared chart to anonymously display opinions, allowing the class to visually assess group consensus.

Escape Room

Students solve a series of concept-based puzzles or challenges to achieve a goal, creating an engaging and collaborative learning experience.

Exit Ticket

Students complete a brief end-of-class reflection to summarize learning, identify questions, and help instructors assess understanding.

Fishbowl

Students engage in a structured discussion or activity in an inner circle while others observe from an outer circle, with opportunities to switch roles and participate.

Focused Listing

Students generate a timed list of ideas on a topic to demonstrate understanding, followed by class review to identify themes and misconceptions.

Four Corners

Students choose and defend answers to a multiple-choice question by moving to designated corners and discussing their reasoning with peers.

Gallery Walk

Students move around the room engaging with posted materials and prompts, working individually or in groups to discuss and respond.

Human Histogram

Students position themselves along a continuum to represent their responses, creating a visual “human histogram” that prompts discussion of patterns.

Jigsaw Discussion

Students first become “experts” on specific content in small groups, then teach their knowledge to new groups where each member represents different material.

Jumbled Sequence

Students work together to arrange jumbled steps into the correct sequence, strengthening their understanding of processes and logical thinking.

Minute Paper

Students briefly reflect on key takeaways and remaining questions to highlight important learning and inform instruction.

Muddiest Point

Students identify what remains unclear after a lesson, allowing the instructor to address common points of confusion in a follow-up.

Note Exchange

Students pause during a lecture to exchange and discuss notes with a partner, helping clarify understanding and fill in gaps.

One-Sentence Summary

Students condense a topic into a single, well-structured sentence by synthesizing key details, promoting concise understanding and retention.

Post-it Parade

Students generate ideas on individual Post-its and collaboratively organize them into themes to explore patterns and insights.

Predict-Observe-Explain

Students predict outcomes, compare them to actual results, and explain differences to reveal understanding and misconceptions.

Pro-Con Grids

Students evaluate an issue by listing and weighing its pros and cons to consider multiple perspectives.

Ques-cussion

Students explore a topic by responding only with open-ended questions, promoting inquiry and deeper discussion.

Send-a-Problem

Student groups repeatedly solve and pass along problems, then evaluate and synthesize solutions to identify the best answer.

Think-Pair-Share

Students think individually, discuss ideas with a partner, and then share with the class to deepen understanding.

What is the Principle?

Students identify problem types and relevant principles to build transferable skills in applying appropriate solutions.

Whip Around

Students quickly share a one-word response in turn, ensuring every student contributes before later discussion.

The Active Learning Flip Cards, developed by the University of Georgia Center for Teaching and Learning and Media Cooperative ©2019, are licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution - NonCommercial - SafeAlike International License.

Images have been altered for the Missouri S&T card set.

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