Teach something new.

Brainstorming ToolBeta

How It Works
  • Enter a course title and lesson topic.
  • Select learning objectives that align with your course goals.
  • Get AI-powered ideas for effective lecture topics, discussion questions, case studies, and more.
  • Select the best ideas to incorporate into your teaching.
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  • Quantitative Research Methods
    Surveys
    Surveys are a commonly used quantitative research method to collect data from a large sample of participants. They allow researchers to analyze data from a wide range of participants on a giventopic.
    Examples
    • – In a study of college readiness, a researcher could administer a survey to high school seniors to gather data on their academic preparation, goals, and aspirations for college.
    • – In a study of attitudes towards vaccination, a researcher could administer a survey to a diverse sample of adults to gather data on viewpoints, beliefs, and practices related to vaccination.
  • Quantitative Research Methods
    Experiments
    Experiments are controlled studies designed to investigate cause-and-effect relationships between dependent and independent variables in a controlled setting.
    Examples
    • – In a study of the effect of music on productivity, a researcher could conduct an experiment in which participants are randomly assigned to either listen to music or work in silence, and their productivity is measured.
    • – In a study of the effect of a new teaching method on student learning, a researcher could conduct an experiment in which one group of students is taught using the new method, while another group is taught using a traditional method, and their test scores are compared.
  • Quantitative Research Methods
    Statistical Analysis
    Statistical analysis is a method used to interpret quantitative data and draw conclusions about patterns and relationships.
    Examples
    • – In a study of gender wage gap, a researcher could use statistical analysis to compare the average earnings of men and women in a particular occupation, controlling for variables such as education and experience.
    • – In a study of the relationship between social media and mental health, a researcher could use statistical analysis to examine the correlation between social media use and symptoms of anxiety and depression.
Teach something that matters.
First Day of Class
In the Media
5
min.
How are course themes playing out in the world today?
- Find a meaningful example that students will be able to connect with
- Use the example to preview key ideas covered in the course
- Focus on big picture course concepts and explain their importance
Add Learning Activity

ENGAGEMENT
Low
FEEDBACK
Low
PREP TIME
Low

Lesson Builder

How It Works
  • Enter course details such as class size, duration, and modality.
  • Create a beginning, middle, and end for your lesson by selecting from over 40 activity types. Or use one of our premade lesson templates.
  • Get instant feedback to make your lesson more structured, engaging, complex, and inclusive.
  • Save, print, or share your lesson.
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Teach something different.

Active Learning Library

How It Works
  • Define what kind of learning activity you're looking for. For example, do you want to promote small group engagement or foster student metacognition? Or both?
  • Filter over 40 activity types based on your teaching context.
  • Get a consise set of best practices for facilitating each activity type.
  • Adapt the activity to your course content and try it out in class!
Try It Out
3-2-1 Survey
Conduct a structured exit survey. For example, ask 3 concepts students learned, 2 applications that interest them, and 1 question they still have.
Use this activity to evaluate what students learned relative to the session's objectives
Usually 3 to 10 minutes
Use in-person or online
ENGAGEMENT
High
FEEDBACK
High
PREP TIME
Average

Best Practices

  • Modify the structure of the 3-2-1 elements. For example, ask students 3 moments they were most engaged, 2 moments they were least engaged, and 1 thing they plan to do before next session.
  • Have students hand in their responses as an "exit ticket" when leaving the room.
  • Consider using survey technology like Slido or Poll Everywhere to anonymize responses.
  • Get more information on the 3-2-1 format from Northern Illinois University.
Affective Response
Let students express their first impressions about the topics or skills you're about to cover, or to material they have prepared for this session.
Background Knowledge Probe
Give a short pre-test to evaluate what students already know about the material you're about to cover.
Teach something you're proud of.