In a recent blog post written for the Magna Publications Teaching and Learning blog, Dr. John Orlando shared an active learning strategy he has incorporated into his Medical Ethics course. Dr. Orlando states in the first sentence of his post, “It’s been said that teaching is the best way to learn, and I believe it.” He goes on to share why and how he hands over the teaching reins to his students through a semester long project that requires student teams to create a digital learning module that focuses on an assigned medial ethics issue. At the end of the semester, students are assigned a module from another team to assess and also present a short overview of their modules to the class.

Dr. Orlando believes that producing the digital teaching modules leads students to truly understand the material in a way that allows them to synthesize the material into organized, meaningful content that can be shared with others. Students learn how to communicate information in new ways past the traditional research paper or PowerPoint presentation and also hone their collaboration and team work skills. 

Have you considered turning over the teaching reins to your students through a project or presentation?

Image obtained from: http://www.flickr.com/photos/rknickme/4209942224/