Example of Instructional Activities

If you are looking for an example of an effective classroom activity, then you’ve come to the right place. This article will describe five types of activities for the purpose of developing your lesson plan. These include structured options, experiential learning, and the Think-pair-share strategy. Below is an example of an instructional activity that uses all five of these approaches. Here are some ideas for getting your students to take part. Then, select one or a combination of these strategies for your next lesson.

Experiential learning

Experiential learning is an approach to teaching where students apply what they have learned from a practical experience to new circumstances. They are likely to discuss how this new process can help them handle situations in the future, or what issues a certain experience raised. These activities are not always as straightforward to define as other instructional methods, but instructors should strive to create an environment where students feel ownership over their learning. The following are several examples of experiential learning.

Identify the student population to be taught. It’s helpful to create multiple plans so that an instructor can reconfigure them as necessary. The key is to understand student reactions and emerging ideas. Experiential learning also requires ongoing formative assessment, including observations and checkpoints on understanding. Ensure that the chosen activities support the course objectives and are matched to the individual learning styles and development levels of students.

Using technology to facilitate experiential learning is also important. Today, it’s possible to integrate e-learning tools into a classroom, enabling students to learn on the job and in the classroom. Experiential learning has become a standard teaching method at the University of Waterloo. A web page on the university’s website outlines the conditions for effective experiential learning. The Association for Experiential Education defines four conditions for effective experiential learning.

The spirit of investigation, experimentation, and problem-solving are often engrained in experiential learning. A fishbowl activity fosters this spirit. By allowing students to take on the role of facilitating discussion, students become more accountable for their learning and are more likely to challenge themselves in the process. Similarly, mnemonics are useful tools for students to retain information and make connections. This way, experiential learning is more meaningful.

Co-operative learning

In addition to traditional lectures, cooperative learning has many benefits. It allows students to apply the concepts learned in a hands-on setting. This type of learning requires five basic elements: positive interdependence, mutual responsibility, shared goal, and measurable performance. The goal is to develop a sense of commitment among group members to achieve the same result. Cooperative learning is a dynamic approach to instruction that is suited to all learning styles.

Among the advantages of cooperative learning are higher achievement for students and group members. This approach also builds stronger relationships among students. Cooperative learning helps students build trust, learn how to work with others, resolve conflict, and disagree politely. It also increases motivation in students. But, what are the downsides? Let’s take a closer look. Here are three benefits of cooperative learning. If you’re wondering whether cooperative learning is right for your students, read on!

Peer groups: This type of group learning has many benefits, and is becoming more popular in the American education system. Yet, students often express negative feelings about cooperative learning, especially in college classes. In fact, Feichtner and Davis argue that cooperative learning is both beneficial and frustrating for students. As a result, previous cooperative learning research almost always examines the teacher’s perspective. While this isn’t entirely accurate, it’s useful to remember that collaborative learning requires the collaboration of students.

Cooperative learning requires students to collaborate on an assignment, instead of competing with one another. Cooperative learning involves students dividing up the task, setting boundaries and defining roles. When done well, cooperative learning can transform students into more capable adults in the workplace. However, the learning benefits are more than just practical. A cooperative learning class may increase a student’s motivation. In addition to learning new skills, cooperative learning allows teachers to increase interaction and self-esteem.

Think-pair-share strategy

Using the Think-Pair-Share strategy to differentiate instruction allows students to develop a conceptual understanding of the topic. Students are given a short period of time during which to think and formulate their ideas. This encourages high levels of pupil response and classroom participation. Additionally, Think-Pair-Share allows you to incorporate more than one activity into a class period. In fact, this strategy may be the most effective way to incorporate different instructional activities into a single class period.

Another way to use the Think-Pair-Share strategy is to introduce new topics to students. By introducing new topics and guiding students’ discussions, you’ll help students gain a better understanding of the subject matter. This strategy can also help students develop communication skills, such as effective listening and presentation. It’s also a great way to spark the students’ creativity, which will result in better communication skills and increased understanding of the subject matter.

This method also works well for the review and practice of material. It’s also an excellent choice for team-building and getting-to-know-you activities. Before beginning, students should prepare a question and an answer card. If you use a dry-erase board, you can also set up a table group of four students. Students should also prepare scrap paper and a pencil to complete the tasks before class.

The Think-pair-share strategy can be uncomfortable for students, so teachers should prepare for this. Before pairing students, introduce the strategy and go through an example. If the question is not directly related to the lesson, provide an open-ended question that aligns with the instructional goal. Next, students should share their answers with their partners, taking notes of their partners’ ideas. After each group member shares their ideas, students should consider the other’s responses and document the process.

Structured options

Instructors often underestimate the workload of their students. Instructional designers can offer a fresh perspective on a typical course load. Below are some strategies to consider when developing an instructional activity. Most of these strategies are intended to complement other instructional activities, so they can be used in conjunction with each other. In addition, they can improve the quality of conversations currently underway. In short, structured options for instructional activities can make teaching more effective and efficient.

Direct instruction

There are two main types of instructional activities: Direct Instruction (DI) and Mastery Learning (ML). The former has a set structure and ensures that students understand the material and learn at a regulated pace. The latter allows the teacher to modify the speed of the lessons based on the needs of each student. Direct Instruction has its pros and cons, but overall, it is a good method for teaching.

A negative connotation of direct instruction is the result of a misrepresentation of the concept and techniques used in direct instruction. In reality, all teachers employ some type of direct instruction, which involves illustrating topics and demonstrating information. However, direct instruction is viewed as negative when teachers rely on it too heavily or fail to incorporate alternative techniques to teach the subject. In order to avoid misunderstandings and negative connotations, educators should consider using alternative methods and strategies to impart information.

Direct instruction is a method where the teacher talks about the content to a group of students. It involves lectures and demonstrations to make learning easier. However, it is not for everyone. In order to get the best results from direct instruction, you should match the type of instruction to the task at hand. If the subject you’re teaching is difficult for you to explain, you can encourage your students to relate it to their existing knowledge.

Inquiry-based learning is a strategy that places students in the driver’s seat and gives them the freedom to voice their ideas. In this method, students are able to participate in the discussion, choosing which questions to ask and how to present the data. It also allows students to work more independently and creatively. Unlike direct instruction, students are more likely to ask questions when they don’t know the answer.