Classroom activities for adult learners are an essential part of the learning process. They provide students with opportunities to engage with course material in an interactive and hands-on way.
The right classroom activities can liven up lectures, promote collaboration, and excite students about learning.
This guide will provide an overview of the main types of classroom activities and their key features.
Background on Classroom Activities
Classroom activities refer to any instructional technique that involves students in the learning process. They require students to do something other than passively listening to a lecture.
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Well-designed activities target different learning styles and help instructors gauge student comprehension. We hear this from customers that regularly use of our training courses.
There are many types of classroom and icebreaker activities for online teaching.
They can be divided into several broad categories:
Discussion-Based Activities
Discussions promote student interaction and get them to think critically about course concepts. The instructor poses questions to the class and has students respond. Discussions help students articulate their ideas, consider different viewpoints, and practice constructive debate. We hear this from customers that regularly use of our training courses.
Think-Pair-Share has students reflect individually on a prompt, discuss it with a partner, and then share ideas with the wider class. This allows all students to participate.
Debates have students take and defend a stance on an issue. This builds critical thinking as students research evidence and articulate their position.
Collaborative Activities
Group Projects have students work together to complete a multifaceted assignment. This develops teamwork skills and maximizes the use of teacher tools online.
Jigsaw activities split material into sections. Groups become “experts” on their section and teach it to others. This encourages peer teaching.
Think-Pair-Share has students reflect individually on a prompt, discuss it with a partner, and then share ideas with the wider class. This allows all students to participate.
Game-Based Activities
Quizzes/games like Kahoot introduce fun competition. Students review material in a lower-stress way.
Simulations/role plays have students apply course concepts in a hands-on scenario. These bridge theory with practice.
Debates have students take and defend a stance on an issue. This builds critical thinking as students research evidence and articulate their position.
Written Activities
One-minute papers have students briefly summarize key learnings. This checks understanding.
Reflective writing prompts students to connect course material to their own experiences. This promotes deeper thinking.
Research papers require in-depth exploration of a topic. This develops analysis and writing skills.
Benefits of Classroom Activities
- Promote active learning rather than passive listening
- Appeal to different learning styles
- Increase student engagement and motivation
- Develop critical thinking, teamwork, communication, and other skills
- Allow instructors to check student understanding
- Add variety to lectures and discussions
Steps for Implementation
- Identify course goals. Align activities with specific skills or content you want students to master.
- Consider your students. Account for their backgrounds, interests, and preferred learning styles.
- Explain relevance. Students engage more when they understand why an activity matters.
- Offer structure. Give clear instructions, guidelines, and expectations.
- Monitor and adjust. Observe students and tweak activities as needed.
- Leave time for reflection. Have students process what they learned from activities.
10 Best Practices
- Vary activity types – Use a mix of individual, partner, and group activities.
- Keep it simple – Avoid overly complex or time-consuming activities.
- Be organized – Have all materials and instructions prepared.
- Establish ground rules – Set expectations for participation and behavior.
- Circulate and assist – Walk around to answer questions and keep students on track.
- Start small – Have short, low-stakes activities before longer ones.
- Debrief afterwards – Have students reflect on what they learned.
- Evaluate effectiveness – Get student feedback to improve future activities.
- Link to assessments – Align activities with course assignments and tests.
- Have fun – Select activities you’re excited about – passion is contagious.
Summary
Classroom activities provide impactful learning experiences that go beyond lectures. They encourage collaboration, critical thinking, and engagement.
Discussion, game, written, and collaborative activities all have unique benefits.
Following key principles like offering structure, monitoring participation, and aligning activities with course goals will help ensure activities are productive and meaningful.
With some creativity and planning, classroom activities can make learning fun, interactive, and memorable.
With 30+ years of training experience, I founded Oak Innovation (oakinnovation.com) in 1995. I help busy training professionals and business managers deliver better training courses in less time by giving them instant access to editable training course material. I received my Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees from University College Cork. I hold qualifications in Professional Development And Training from University College Galway. Clients include Apple, Time Warner, and Harvard University.
