When you decide to start make sure that you warn the students what’s going to happen. They may not be expecting it, especially if you are trying something for the first time!

Think-Pair-Share (Carbone, 1998)

After introducing a great topic direct students to think about the questions and issues. I always ask them to jot down some ideas and notes, even on scrap paper. In some cases they can be asked to make predictions about an experiment or the outcome of a case. Students then form dyads or if necessary triads and they explain their thoughts to each other. A group consensus can then be volunteered to the whole class. This can be a quick, snappy activity that needs to be monitored so that just the right amount of time is provided for group discussions.

Questions and Answers (Mackway-Jones and Walker, 1999; Gedalof, 2006.)

Clear, straightforward questions are best, but not easy, simple recall of facts. A low-level question might ask for the name of a condition or symptom while a high level question might ask about an approach to the diagnosis. Divergent questions have many right answers making it easier and safer for students to volunteer while convergent questions elicit one single right answer. Allow time (silence) for students to consider the answer. Sometimes a Think-Pair-Share activity will generate more activity and thinking. Welcome all answers and respond positively so that people know it is safe to answer in your class.

Buzz Groups (Mackway-Jones and Walker, 1999)

This is a faster paced and less formal version of Think-Pair-Share. The use that you make of the answers determines the success of the activity at the time and in the future!

Brainstorming (Mackway-Jones and Walker, 1999)

Use this to generate lots of ideas quickly. Write everything down and comment only later. That way, if there are corrections to be made, the person associated with the false information or assumption has been separated from the item. Afterwards use the ideas to make connections and show relationships. Sometimes complete the lists or elaborate and clarify. There needs to be a clear purpose!

One-minute paper (Gedalof, 2006)

As individuals or dyads or triads students write out either a question or summary of the most important or interesting aspect of the topic or session. Time can be one, two, or three minutes but no longer. These can be read out in class and compiled as a summary of the class and a springboard to the next session. The topic can be divided into sections or sub-topics and assigned to different zones or sections of the class like diagnostics, investigations, treatment etc.

Games

There are many games that have been developed for medical education and available on-line. You might even want to create your own high or low tech game!