Mixed Classroom techniques
Techniques: interventions that get students learning from each other safely and in a structured way, by phase of the VU Mixed Classroom Model.
The VU Amsterdam Mixed Classroom Model is a prescriptive model that includes a number of techniques (or interventions) to stimulate students to engage with each others in a safe and structured manner. This page includes all these interventions so you get a complete overview and stroll quickly through them to find interventions that might fit in your teaching practice.
Affective response
Students think of and write down how a certain aspect of the material or learning process made them feel. This can be a response on many levels; focused on content (“I feel angry reading Hegel because his I think his…
Big paper
This is a silent exercise; no talking is allowed. Students get a flip-over sheet per duo and the problem/question/case they need to work on.
Buddy system
Buddy systems lead to more inclusive learning environments. Students are paired up, and function as each other’s safety net, first contact, mentor, and guide.
Buzz group, buzz duo’s
Students explore each other’s viewpoint on a statement or dilemma. This activity can be used at the start of a lecture.
Card system
Every student name in the group is written down on a card. The instructor uses the cards to randomly select someone to answer a question. These questions can be posed by the teacher as well as other students.
Circle of trust
Students receive a hand-out and are asked to list the five people they trust most besides their relatives; their “circle of trust”.
Contract
Using a tool like Mentimeter , Google docs or a flip-over chart, have students come up with their own ground rules for interaction.
Debate
Student groups get assigned a side in a debate that does not necessarily match with their own point of view. Together, they research their allotted side of the debate.
Devil’s advocate
Students roleplay in duo’s taking different viewpoints. This activity can be prompted by a triggering statement. Students take some time to research both viewpoints.
Dotmocracy (Sticker voting)
This learning activity is a technique for voting and recognizing levels of agreement among a group of people in an open and non-threatening way.
Exit slips (Exit ticket, One-minute paper)
“Exit slips”: Students write down how they experienced class climate on post-it notes before they leave the classroom.
Fifty seconds
The teacher randomly divides students in pairs, and they get fifty seconds to write down as many things in common as they can (avoiding physical traits).
From judgement to question
This activity can be part of the ground rules, or a separate exercise.
Getting to know you
Students are divided in subgroups and draw overlapping circles for the equal number of participants in their group on flip-over sheets.
Idea line up
Students visually line up (they can also stand in a “U” shape, with the middle of the U being neutral and the ends the extremes) themselves according to their opinion on a statement, for example from “I agree fully” to…
Index card pass
Students get an index card. They write down a question about the material for the entire group. They then pass on their card to another student, who passes it to another student.
Jig saw from different stakeholders perspective
Students are divided in subgroups. Each group gets the same problem/case/question, but each group is assigned a different perspective.
Jig saw from different stakeholders perspective
Students are divided in subgroups. Each group gets the same problem/case/question, but each group is assigned a different perspective.
One-minute paper
The one-minute paper is an exercise that can be used to ask students to reflect on their learning. After a group exercise or discussion (or after an interactive learning activity from phase 2 ), students get one minute…
Personality Rose
In addition to the Personality tree , the exercise can be scaled down and simplified using a different metaphor (for example a rose), having students add what they perceive as their strengths (i.e.
Personality Tree
Students are asked to map their identity according to the different parts of a tree. Roots depict beliefs and values, the trunk depicts life structure and pattern, branches are used to describe interests, the leaves…
Predict, Observe, Explain
This activity is especially useful in settings where students perform tests or experiments. Students are asked to predict what they think will happen, observe the actual experiment and explain the difference with the…
Pro/Con grids
Students try to think of as much pros or cons to a statement, procedure or intervention as they can, then swap with a neighbour and discuss each other’s grids, asking each other questions like “What did you think before…
Questions only
Building upon the learning activity “ From judgement to question ”, this activity is a discussion where only questions are allowed (also called a Quescussion).
Role-play
A role-play is a multifaceted teaching method that can be used as an assignment, activating exercise, or assessment form.
Rotating chair
Contrary to what the name suggests, students actually stay in their seats during this discussion activity, making the exercise suitable for large groups.
Speech writing
Students write a speech for someone who does not necessarily hold the same view points as they do. They research this view point. What would this person say, and why? What arguments would this person use?
Speed date
This activity can used in different scenarios where it is useful for students to acquaint themselves a lot of perspectives in a short timeframe.
Student-led sessions
Students rotate leading (part of) the tutorials, preparing their own input and questions. Doing this will bring their own perspective on the material into the course.
Tag team discussion
In this discussion exercise, students are randomly divided in an inner circle and an outer circle. Students sitting in the inner circle are part of a discussion.
Think aloud
Students each get a different problem, and reads it to the other student while pausing every few sentences to “think aloud” while trying to solve the problem.
Think-pair-share
The Think-Pair-Share technique is an activating educational method in which students spend 10 to 15 minutes thinking about a problem in three structured steps.
Three-step-interview
Students work in groups of three, an interviewer, an interviewee and a notetaker. The teacher assigns a topic, for example class climate, and students interview each other about what they want and need from the teacher…
Tiles
Students think of a saying a proverb or phrase that summarizes their youth and upbringing, for example, “Actions speak louder than words” or “Keeping up appearances”.
What shaped you?
Students share what shaped them as a person, or changed their perspective. Depending on course content, students can be asked to share a book, movie, political event or conversation that had an impact on their lives.
World Café exercise
Students are given a question, problem or statement, and divided in subgroups to discuss it, writing/doodling their talking points or calculations on a flip-over sheet.