Group size: Groups of 5–10 students
Course type: Online (synchronous), in-person
Ask your students to focus on a specific chapter in your textbook. Then, place them in groups and ask them to make connections and identify differences between ideas that can be found in course readings and other articles and videos they may find. This way, they can compare their ideas in small groups and learn from one another’s perspectives. In online real-time classes, instructors can use Zoom breakout rooms to put students in small groups.
Assess/diagnose/act
Group size: Groups of 5–10 students
Course type: Online (synchronous), in-person
This activity will improve students’ problem-solving skills and can help engage them in more dynamic discussions. Start by proposing a topic or controversial statement. Then follow these steps to get conversations going. In online classes, students can either raise their hands virtually or use an online discussion forum to engage with their peers.
Assessment: What is the issue or problem at hand?
Diagnosis: What is the root cause of this issue or problem?
Action: How can we solve the issue?
3 motivational activities for college students
Moral dilemmas
Group size: Groups of 3–7 students
Course type: Online (synchronous), in-person
Provide students with a moral or ethical dilemma, using a hypothetical situation or a real-world situation. Then ask them to explore potential solutions as a group. This activity encourages students to think outside the box to develop creative solutions to the problem. In online learning environments, students can use discussion threads or Zoom breakout rooms.
Conversation stations
Group size: Groups of 4–6 students
Course type: In-person
This activity exposes students’ ideas in a controlled way, prompting discussions that flow naturally. To start, share a list of discussion questions pertaining to a course reading, video or case study. Put students into groups and give them five-to-ten minutes to discuss, then have two students rotate to another group. The students who have just joined a group have an opportunity to share findings from their last discussion, before answering the second question with their new group. After another five-to-ten minutes, the students who haven’t rotated yet will join a new group.
