Creating this chain reaction provides a moment of interaction at the beginning or end of a lecture. Students answer a question by taking turns to add knowledge to the answer. This gives you a picture of students' existing knowledge on a topic.
- Activity goal
- Activate prior knowledge | Brainstorm | Recap / Summarize
- When
- In class
- Where
- Offline | Online
- Duration
- < 10 minutes
- Group size
- Small | Medium
- Materials
Envelopes, blank A4 sheets, pens
Step-by-step
Step 1
As a start for each chain reaction, think of a question on a particular topic or concept of your college. Write the question at the top of a sheet of paper and put it in an envelope. Write the question on the envelope too. Put all the questions below each other on a slide so everyone can see them.
Step 2
Introduce the assignment and its purpose and pass the envelopes from student to student. Tell students that the idea is to read all the previous answers before posting their complement.
Step 3
After reading, students are given 1 minute to briefly add their ideas/answers.
Step 4
Collect the chain reactions and read the answers aloud, give fellow students the opportunity to respond to them and/or address them themselves.
Tip 1
Reserve 10-15 minutes of your lecture to use this form of work and extra time to discuss each 'chain'.
Tip 2
You can use this assignment to have students answer a question, but also to describe a concept or definition. Then ask students to each add one basic fact, example or characteristic of that concept.
Tip 3
Conclude a discussion or assignment with this work form to get an impression of how well the material has been understood.
Tip 4
With a large group of students, you can make smaller groups to answer a question, you can have several groups answer the same question.
In the offline version of the teaching session, envelopes, blank A4 sheets and pens can be used.
Step 1
Prior to the session, prepare a set of thought-provoking questions on various college topics or concepts.
Write each question at the top of a digital sheet (slide) via Zoom or Microsoft Teams. Alternatively, you can also use Miro with post-its.
Step 2
At the beginning of the online session, introduce the "Interactive Chain Notes" activity and its purpose to the students.
Share the digital whiteboard or presentation slide with all the questions visible.
Let students talk about the questions in breakout rooms and use the whiteboard or Miro board as your Canvas for answers.
Step 3
After coming back to the main room, instruct the students to read all the previous answers before adding their own ideas or answers.
Set aside 1 minute for each student to briefly contribute their thoughts or answers to the specific question inside the envelope.
Step 4
After the time is up, collect all the digital "chain notes" containing students' responses.
Read the answers aloud one by one, encouraging active participation from fellow students.
Provide opportunities for students to respond to each other's answers, creating an engaging discussion.
- A shared digital whiteboard or presentation slide where all the questions will be displayed.
- Questions related to the college topics/concepts, prepared in advance.
