During a lecture, the instructor pauses at critical points to allow students/learners to catch up on their notes and then exchange them with their neighbors to discuss information they may have missed or written down differently.
Photo by ANTONI SHKRABA production
Individual/Group Activity
Group
Class Size
Small (<25)
Bloom’s Taxonomy Level
Remember
Development Initial
Transitional Knowing
Minimum Time to Facilitate
16-30 Minutes
MinimumTimeto Debrief
<5 Minutes
PDFs
Here
Discipline-Specific Examples
STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) Please contact us at activelearning@uga.edu with an example to include!
Co-Curricular (experiences outside of the formal classroom but contribute to student learning) Please contact us at activelearning@uga.edu with an example to include!
Universal Design for Active Learning
Universal Design for Active Learning UDL and active learning share a common goal: centering all students in the learning experience. When designing an activity, UDL‑informed instructors consider how the activity could be open to all students while preserving the core learning goal.
Physical Considerations If handwriting is not required, allow students to contribute digitally rather than passing a physical notecard.
Timing & Pacing Ensure the notecard moves at a pace that gives students sufficient time at each stop. Allow digital or after-class contribution.
Social Interaction The semi-anonymous format supports low-stakes participation. Allow students to pass without contributing if needed.
Information Accessibility Allow students to review prior notes before adding. Post a summary of responses after class.
Ways to Participate/Express Allow contribution by writing, typing, or dictating.
Harahap, K. (2017). Improving students’ achievement in writing narrative text through chain story technique at second grade of Mts Al-Washliyah Tembung (Doctoral dissertation, State Islamic University of North Sumatera): http://repository.uinsu.ac.id/2648/
Uktolseja, L. J., & Gaspersz, S. (2019). Implementation of chain story techniques to improve english speaking ability at imanuel YPK vocational high school, Sorong City. Journal of education and learning (edulearn), 13(4), 490-497: https://edulearn.intelektual.org/index.php/EduLearn/article/view/13327
