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Memory Exercise

Central learning outcomes for the activity 

  • To reflect on and be able to express themselves in relation to a subject that points the students towards the oral exam that concludes the course
  • To build up a range of associations between/strengthen their ability to distinguish between reflections/contextualisation and exact knowledge
  • To form a comprehensive view of gaps in their own knowledge
  • In addition, to establish a sense of security in relation to working in groups and to give the students an exercise where everyone (active participants + audience) gets something from the collaboration.

Teacher's motivation 

  • Difficulties of working in groups
  • Lack of clarity about what you are expected to be able to do at the exam
  • Lack of ability to contextualise knowledge in an exam situation.

The game is played during the penultimate or final class before the exam.

Outcome of the activity

The students are constantly active throughout the exercise - both when they themselves are drawing a concept, but also when they are jointly criticising and supplementing one another. This is very motivational for most of them. The different levels of abstraction simultaneously leads to even very heterogeneous groups benefiting from the exercise, as everyone has a chance to contribute on different levels.

The structure of the game gives a relaxed atmosphere in the classroom, where people address one another across the groups, laughing at the gaps in their own knowledge.

It also provides the lecturer and the students with quick and quite accurate insight into the students' abilities and gaps in their knowledge.

Worth considering 

The game can easily be constructed and played by the students themselves, without the lecturer being present. The game can also easily be developed for other subject branches or more specific periods/subjects.

Activities

    Examples of practice


      Basic information

      • Faculty: Arts
      • Degree Programme: Prehistoric archaeology 
      • Course: Prehistoric culture I 
      • Study level: BA. 1st semester 
      • Course size: 6-35
      • Teaching method: Lecture
      • Extent: Activity
      • Primary type of activity: Practice 
      • How the case was conducted: Campus teaching

      Links and materials

      Example of memory exercise

      Click on the picture to enlarge.