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Need inspiration to design more interactive education?
Whether you teach on campus or online, TeachEUR offers a variety of activities to enhance the quality and interactivity of your education. From accessible icebreakers to practical exercises that promote active learning and collaboration among students. Get inspired, adapt these activities to your learning objectives, and add your own twist to them!
We also provide theoretical insights on various themes, supported by tips and tools to implement them immediately in practice.
We regularly add new teaching activities and would love to hear your ideas! Have you tried something new or have you applied a variation? Share it with us!
Looking for advice or do you want to brainstorm about activating education? Do you need professional support to tailor an activity to your course? Or would you like to highlight a particular theme? Contact us or send an email to cli@eur.nl.
TeachEUR is powered by the Community for Learning & Innovation (CLI)
To select teaching activities, use the filters or search bar. The following filters are available:
- Activity goal: What do you want to achieve with the students?
- When: Are you looking for an activity to prepare for, during or after your seminar or lecture?
- Duration: Indication of the approximate time it will take to complete the activity.
- Where: Will you be using the activity in a room on campus, online or simultaneously on campus and online (hybrid)?
- Group size: Is the group small (max 10 students), medium (max 50 students) or large (more than 50 students)?
Below you will find more explanation about the didactic goals (based on Bloom's taxonomy).
For effective learning, new material must connect to what students already know. Activating prior knowledge helps refresh existing knowledge structures and link them to new information, increasing engagement and making it easier to understand and retain new concepts.
When students see that the material builds on their prior knowledge, it boosts their motivation and active participation. For teachers, activating prior knowledge provides valuable insights into the students’ level of understanding, allowing them to address misconceptions or knowledge gaps early on.
Prior knowledge can be activated through asking students questions, letting them make mind maps, or discussing familiar situations with statements. A short quiz or poll is also an interactive way to quickly assess students' existing knowledge.
By consciously taking time to activate prior knowledge, students are better prepared for new material, ensuring a solid foundation for further learning.
During group sessions, it is essential to gain isights into student their progress and understanding. An effective assessment provides concrete feedback to help students refine their learning strategies and encourages a more active and reflective learning process. By incorporating assessment in an accessible and interactive way, teachers can not only assess students’ current knowledge but also actively support their learning journey. Assessments can be either formative (to support learning) or summative (to evaluate final achievement).
Different methods include short quizzes, peer feedback, observations, or student presentations about their insights. Peer evaluation helps students not only understand their own learning process better but also critically assess others’ approaches. Interactive methods like discussions, case analyses, or group assignments provide teachers with valuable insights into how students apply knowledge and where additional support is needed.
Brainstorming stimulates creativity, collaboration, and critical thinking. In an open and safe setting, students can generate ideas freely without immediate judgment. This process can lead to innovative solutions and insights that might not emerge otherwise.
Students can brainstorm individually or in groups using different techniques. A classic brainstorming session encourages spontaneous idea generation without criticism, while techniques like brainwriting offers structured ways to develop ideas further. Visual tools such as mind maps help establish connections between ideas and make insights more tangible.
Brainstorming is particularly effective at the start of projects, for analyzing complex problems, or exploring new perspectives. It not only enhances creative thinking but also improves teamwork skills.
Knowledge exchange is a crucial part of the learning process. Actively sharing information and insights deepens students' understanding and encourages them to critically reflect on their own knowledge and thought patterns. Learning becomes a dynamic interaction in which students strengthen each other.
An effective way to promote this is by having students teach one another. Student-designed classes, where students explain concepts in their own creative ways, help them understand the material more deeply while improving their communication skills. Group discussions, expert groups, and cooperative learning methods also challenge students to structure and apply their knowledge.
Good knowledge exchange does not only foster deep learning, but also social interaction and collaboration. It contributes to an engaged learning attitude that prepares students for real-world scenarios where teamwork and knowledge sharing are essential skills.
A safe and positive learning environment starts with a good introduction. When students feel comfortable in a group, they participate more actively in discussions and collaborations, which enhances the learning process.
Introductions can take various forms, depending on the group dynamic and learning objectives. Short icebreakers help establish initial connections and ease tension, while activities where students share their learning goals, interests, or backgrounds create stronger bonds. By discussing common interests or personal viewpoints for example, an atmosphere of trust and openness will quickly grow.
A well-organized introduction promotes teamwork and open communication, helping students feel comfortable asking questions, sharing ideas, and supporting one another.
Developing skills requires more than just theoretical knowledge; it involves repetition, application, and active student engagement. By practicing skills in a meaningful context, students can strengthen their competencies and be better prepared.
In an educational setting, this can be achieved in different ways. Role-playing allows students to simulate real-world situations in a safe environment and receive immediate feedback. Practical assignments, where students work independently or in small groups, help them apply and refine their skills effectively.
By practicing regularly and approaching situations from different angles, students' will build more confidence and flexibility in their skills. Reflecting on their approach and its impact encourages them to learn more conscious and improve themselves continuously. A hands-on approach not only makes learning more effective, but also more relevant and motivating.
A well-structured conclusion to a lesson or learning activity is essential to ensure that students retain key insights and give meaning to what they have learned. By actively summarizing, core concepts are reinforced, and connections between different parts of the material become clearer.
Lessons can be effectively concluded in various ways. Students can write a brief reflection, complete an exit ticket, or share key takeaways in a group discussion. Visual methods such as creating a mind map or concept cartoon help structure complex information and improve retention.
A carefully planned conclusion enhances understanding and prepares students for the next lesson or assignment. Actively involving students in summarizing strengthens their learning process and prevents information from being superficially processed and quickly forgotten.
Reflection is an essential part of effective learning. By consciously considering their development and learning experiences, students gain more control over their learning process. This helps them not only understand the material better but also strengthen their critical thinking skills.
Reflection can be encouraged in various ways. Individual reflection reports allow students to analyze their experiences and connect theory to practice. Group discussions provide opportunities to share insights and learn from different perspectives, often leading to new awareness. Interactive methods, such as a reflection bingo or visual reflection activities, also make the process more engaging and accessible.
By making reflection a regular part of education, students are encouraged not just to acquire knowledge but also to grow as independent and critical thinkers.
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