Active Learning Strategies for STEM Discussion Sections

As facilitators of discussion sections, STEM TAs are frequently concerned that they will spend sections solving problems at the board for passive students. This workshop will go over the principles of active learning and how to implement active learning strategies in STEM classrooms. You will learn strategies for asking effective questions, engaging students in problem solving, encouraging deductive reasoning, and eliciting participation from reluctant students.

Learning Objectives

After attending this workshop, participants will be able to:

1.  Establish specific conditions for active learning before their sections begin. 

2.  Identify the basic principles of active learning.  

3.  Implement at least three different activities that encourage active learning (think-pair-share, providing demonstrations, polling, paired think aloud, wait time, stretch it) into their lesson plans. 

4.  Predict and plan for at least one common student participation scenario before encountering hesitant or disinterested students in the classroom.