This activity does not refer to other activities that have added a physical component, but rather activities that are primarily kinesthetic in action and learning. This is probably the least used online activity.
Primarily used in dance, theater, and physical education/kinesiology, and therapy.
Students write a continuous journal of activity, usually guided by instructor prompts. As the term progresses, these journals will be continuously updated, allowing for a personal history of learning.
Can be used in most subject areas. Especially useful in humanities, writing, and sciences.
The core components of journaling objectives include but are not limited to:
In a typical jigsaw activity, students are given a topic on which to become an expert, either individually or as part of a group. The student or group of students then teaches the material to the rest of the class. This is usually done by having the students redistribute into new groups with one expert from each topic present in each of the new groups. The new group then takes turns teaching each other the materials for which each individual is an expert.
Students are given a topic on which to find an expert to interview or they are given a type of person to interview. An alternative is the ‘pretend’ interview in which the student writes up what an interview with a particular interview might be like, such as interviewing a signer of the U.S. Constitution or more philosophical such as from the perspective of a bat.
Inductive reasoning involves finding the path that leads to a known solution. Inductive reasoning is the ability to combine pieces of information that may seem unrelated to form general rules or relationships. It is a primary attribute in scientific theory formulation. As an example of inductive reasoning, in a crime, you have the evidence, the goal is to use inductive reasoning to determine how the evidence came to be as it is.
All. Often used in Mathematics, Physics, Chemistry, and Forensics to name a few.
Ice-breakers are an introductory activity during which students can come to know one another. They help set the tone for the course or unit of activity. In an ice-breaker, an activity is given to the students, which helps guide then to disclose information to other students and create a proper learning set.
Students are posed a hypothetical situation to analyze. Active communication among the group of students on all of the issues is conducted to enable everyone to see arguments more clearly and from various viewpoints. In general, the right or wrong value of the situation is in question or a need for action must be proposed.
In group reports, students in groups of 3-5 collectively research a topic and then present that topic to the instructor or class in some way, usually in text. The topic difficulty is such that a group of students is needed to effectively report on the varied information sources. The topic complexity may also benefit from group synergy of thinking.
Students are given a problem to solve. This problem can be just about anything from esoteric philosophical issues to mathematics. The goal is to come up with a solution to the problem. In some cases, the solution will be tested and reported on.
Stern, M. (1995). Visions for a sustainable city: Owings Mills, MD. http://www3.iath.virginia.edu/stern/
One common technique in computer science is to debug a faulty computer program. In distance education, students can be brought together using a synchronous tool and by sharing a screen, work collaboratively to debug a computer program, just as they might in a real world situation.
Primarily computer science, but it could be modified to group problem solving using online application sharing.