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 Activities Fishbowl

Fishbowl 

Short description

The fishbowl activity allows students to ask anonymous academic questions. This gives them the opportunity to ask "stupid" questions that they are afraid to ask in plenum. The activity can be used in preparation for an exam, when reading a particularly difficult text or when reviewing a difficult topic.

              

Objective

OBJECTIVE

CREATING A SAFE LEARNING ENVIROMENT
  • Being able to ask anonymous questions helps create an inclusive environment where students feel safe asking questions. 

UNCOVERING HOLES IN THEIR KNOWLEDGE
  • Students become aware of what they know and what they need to read up on, e.g. before an exam. 

How does the activity take place?

PREPERATION

STUDENT PREPARATION
  • Consider asking the students to think of questions before class. 

IN CLASS

PLENUM

(5 min)

  • Introduce the activity, time frame and kind of questions to be asked (e.g. text- or topic-specific). Introducing the activity before a break will give students more time to think of questions. 

  • Explain where students should write down their questions. You can use a discussion thread in Brightspace, an anonymous Padlet or a mentimeter with a free text field. 

INDIVIDUAL
  • Students write down their questions. If using post-its, collect them and put them on the board.  

PLENUM
  • Answer the questions one at a time in random order.  

Options to vary the activity

OPTIONS TO VARY THE ACTIVITY

ONLINE

The activity can easily be carried out online or in a hybrid version. Remember to use a learning technology that is accessible to everyone. 

USE STUDENT PREPARATION  TIME TO ASK QUESTIONS

Ask the students to write down their questions during their preparation time for the class. This gives them more time to think about their questions. 

ANSWER THE QUESTIONS AFTER CLASS
  • Answer the questions in the following class, so that you have more time to prepare your answers. 

STUDENTS ANSWER QUESTIONS
  • Let students answer each other’s questions. If none of the students know the answer, they can try to figure it out together. Consider combining this with a think-pair-share-activity, where students first reflect individually, then discuss with each other and lastly share their answers in plenum. 

Overview

Time frame 1-2 lectures
When will the activity take place?   In class
Format Plenum
Teaching format  Classroom instruction
Main type of activity  Information and knowledge, communication & discussion and investigation & analysis
How will the activity take place?   In person, online, hybrid
Technology Post-its, Discussions i Brightspace, Mentimeter, Padlet 

Contact

Please contact the editors at AU Educate if you have any questions about the content of the platform or if you need consultation on your teaching from one of the many skilled professionals at the Centre for Educational Development. 

Revised 26.03.2024
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Nina Bang Morgensol