Active Learning: “Daily Journal”
This technique allows for more in-depth discussion of or reaction to course material. You may set aside class time for students to complete their journal entries, or assign this as homework. The only disadvantage to this approach is that the feedback will not be as “instant” as with other assignments which you collect the day of the relevant lecture. But with this approach (particularly if entries are assigned for homework), you may ask more complex questions, such as, “Do you think that determinism is correct, or that humans have free will? Explain your answer.” “Do you think that Dr. Kevorkian’s actions are morally right? What would John Stuart Mill say?” and so on. Or you might have students find and discuss reports of scientific studies in popular media on topics relevant to course material.