A one-minute paper is a short activity in which you literally set a timer at 1 minute. Students answer 1 question or carry out 1 short assignment, depending on the goal of the lesson.
This teaching method can be used at the beginning, middle and end of a lesson or just prior to a break.
- Activity goal
- Activate prior knowledge | Assess | Recap / Summarize
- When
- In class
- Where
- Offline | Online
- Duration
- < 10 minutes
- Group size
- Small | Medium | Large
- Materials
Chat (Zoom, Teams), Mentimeter, Canvas
Step-by-step
Step 1
Decide on the purpose of the one-minute paper, for instance to activate prior knowledge, to formulate a question about the subject matter or as concluding activity at the end to consolidate the content of the session.
Step 2
Give an assignment or ask a question that can be answered in a short space of time. See extra information for example questions.
Step 3
Set a timer for one minute and have the students carry out the assignment (either on paper or written in the chat).
Step 4
Ask a few students for their one-minute paper, or have students exchange their papers.
Tip 1
Questions that are appropriate for a short individual activity, such as at the start of a session:
- What is the most important thing you have learned from the preparatory learning materials or videos?
- What questions do you have about this topic?
- What personal experience or relationship do you have with this topic or content?
Tip 2
Or at the end of the session:
- What was the most important thing you learned during this lecture?
- What did you find difficult?
- Did you gain new insight or what is the most important lesson learned?
- What questions do you have now about this topic?
- What is your next step?
Tip 3
Have students compare their one-minute papers and add another colour to their own 'braindump'.
Tip 4
Have students compare their one-minute papers with each other. If they see new or different points together, they can add to their own 'braindump' with the other person's ideas by writing it in a different colour.
Students can directly send their answers (e.g. Mentimeter, chat or Canvas's Discussionboard), note them down in their notes, or on a post-it if the information is needed for the lecturer.
Consider the tools and materials mentioned here as suggestions. In many cases it’s possible to use alternative tools. Please turn to the Learning & Innovation team of your faculty first to see which online and offline tools are available and how to apply them.
