Melinda's List of Learning Activities
Here's a list of learning activities that I've personally experienced as a student or designed as a teacher or instructional designer. I like having this handy when I'm brainstorming what activities would be most helpful to achieve the determined learning objectives.
Case Study
Bloom's Level: Analysis
Type of Audience: Group
Example:
Participants are provided information to read before the scheduled interaction. Reading materials could include supporting materials with background knowledge, but should include the scenario with all of the information about the situation that will be discussed. When the group comes to discuss the specific case, the instructor begins questioning the class to promote discussion. The case study is used to apply knowledge to
Simulation
Bloom's Level: Evaluation
Type of Audience: Group
Example:
The best personal experience I've had with a simulation was in college while take a geopolitics course. The professor had us study parts of the UCMJ for homework. When we came to class we were broken into small groups. We were given a scenario and then were assigned the role of being the legal counsel to the Admiral. We had to guide the Naval decision makers to the appropriate legal decision given the UCMJ and our knowledge of current international politics. The activity was incredibly engaging and I have an excellent recollection of the content we were asked to review and the analysis and evaluation process.
Forecast
Bloom's Level: Application
Type of Audience: Individual
Example:
Even though I wrote "application," I think forecasting as a learning activity could stretch into the higher levels of thinking as well and provide an excellent final assignment for the semester. As a political science and international relations student, it was very typical for professors to assign forecasting papers: "What do you predict will be the situation in X country given X time? Explain your position." Students should use background knowledge accumulated throughout the semester to project a likely scenario that incorporates information specific to their given topic. Students can be creative as long as their position is defensible.
Bloom's Level: Evaluation
Type of Audience: Individual
Example:
Critiques are also excellent end-of-semester assignments. Students should be able to apply standards, and possibly generate their own standards, and compare others' work to those standards. This is an important real-world task, especially for undergrads. Adults must learn to think critically about public works and accept or reject ideas based on the defensibility of the ideas.