Fishbowl - Active Learning Activity

Fish Bowl

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Category

Information
Alias Concentric Circles
Bloom's Level Analyze
CAFE Level Specials
Class Size Medium Class Size
Difficulty Moderate
Modality Face-to-Face, Hybrid, Online
Prep Time/
Materials		 Requires Planning
Time to Run 15-25 Minutes

A Fishbowl discussion is a small circle of chairs occupied by students who will have a discussion, conduct a lab experiment or engage in some other observable event. That inner circle is then surrounded by a larger circle of students who will silently listen in or observe the ongoing activity. You can offer a way for those in the outer circle to join in the discussion or lab activity by simply “tapping out” those in the fishbowl. You can also have the inner and outer circles switch so that students experience both doing and observing.

RETURN TO INDEX

Debrief what it was like to listen and observe and what unique learning experience that offered students.

  • MS Teams
  • Zoom

In Zoom, “Spotlight” active speakers in the inner circle for visibility. Outer circle observers can use “raise hand” to swap in. Keep the outer circle engaged with chat and reactions. Students can also record themselves role-playing or discussing a solution, allowing others to view and respond in a Canvas or Top Hat discussion board or on Padlet for asynchronous engagement.