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  1. Fishbowl
  2. Three-Minute Message
  3. Translate That!

Fishbowl

A group of volunteer students have a debate, do a roleplay or perform a specific task in front of the class. The rest of the class watches and discusses at the end.

Promotes: analysis and critical thinking, knowledge integration and synthesis

Teaching Technique 44: Fishbowl video © The K. Patricia Cross Academy

Online Teaching Adaptation: Fishbowl video © The K. Patricia Cross Academy

The Fishbowl technique is another popular active learning technique that allows students to practice active listening and debate. Two students or groups of students position themselves in the centre or front of the room to engage in a debate, discussion or role-play while students on the periphery are tasked with listening to the debate and deciding on which of the two sides was the most compelling and convincing. At the end of the session, the whole class comes together, and a large group discussion follows to summarize key points and findings.

This diagram shows the fishbowl active learning technique that can be used when the classroom has fixed seating. A series of paired figure drawings representing students seated in fixed rows and a semi-circle of seats or spaces which students at the front of the classroom.
Diagram of fishbowl active learning technique in a fixed classroom.
This diagram shows the fishbowl active learning technique in use when the classroom has flexible seating where chairs and tables can be moved around. Figure drawings representing students are arranged in two arcs on both sides of a small circle in the middle of the room.
Diagram of fishbowl active learning technique in a flexible classroom.

Three-Minute Message

Students present a concise three-minute argument with supporting evidence on a designated course topic.

Promotes: creative and critical thinking, problem solving

Teaching Technique 09: Three-Minute Message video © The K. Patricia Cross Academy

Online Technique Adaptation: Three-Minute Message video © The K. Patricia Cross Academy

Translate That!

An instructor pauses at regular intervals in a lecture and asks a student in the class to explain the previous segment in “plain English” to their classmates.

Promotes: analysis, critical and creative thinking

Technique Technique 15: Translate That! video © The K. Patricia Cross Academy

Online Technique Adaptation: Translate That! video © The K. Patricia Cross Academy

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Active Learning by Centre for Teaching and Learning is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License, except where otherwise noted.

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