Opinion Line-Up
Opinion Line-Up is an interactive activity that prompts students to consider their position on a complex issue and discuss it with peers. By physically or virtually placing themselves along a spectrum of opinions, students clarify their reasoning and engage with diverse perspectives.
How It Works
- Introduce an issue or scenario, such as: Should a dermatologist inform a stranger about a potentially cancerous mole?
- Designate one end of the room (or a virtual space) as “Yes, absolutely” and the other as “No, absolutely not,” with the area in between representing nuanced opinions.
- Ask students to position themselves along the spectrum based on their initial thoughts.
- Facilitate small group discussions among students standing near each other to share and refine their reasoning.
- Optionally, pair students with those at opposite ends of the spectrum to discuss their differing viewpoints.
Examples
In an ethics class, students line up to express their stance on whether companies should be allowed to use AI to monitor employees’ productivity. Afterward, small groups discuss the implications of their positions, focusing on privacy versus efficiency.
Why It’s Effective
- Encourages students to evaluate and articulate their opinions.
- Promotes critical thinking by exposing students to a range of perspectives.
- Helps students develop the ability to respectfully debate and refine their ideas.
Adaptations
- Online: Use a collaborative tool like Padlet or Jamboard to create a virtual opinion spectrum. Students place digital “pins” on their position and explain their stance in breakout groups or discussion threads.
- Large Classes: Use a polling tool (e.g., Poll Everywhere) to gauge where students stand and create small discussion groups based on their responses.
- Asynchronous: Have students submit written reflections on their stance and respond to peers’ positions in a discussion forum.
Sources and Attribution
Primary Sources
This section is informed by and adapted from the following sources:
- University of Waterloo, Centre for Teaching Excellence. Active Learning Activities.
- Available at: Waterloo CTE
Use of AI in Section Development
This section was developed using a combination of existing research, expert-informed insights, and AI-assisted drafting. ChatGPT (OpenAI) was used to:
- Synthesize best practices for active learning strategies into a cohesive and accessible guide for instructors.
- Clarify approaches that promote student engagement, participation, and deeper learning.
- Enhance readability and coherence, ensuring that active learning techniques are both research-based and practically applicable in face-to-face and online classrooms.
While AI-assisted drafting provided a structured foundation, all final content was reviewed, revised, and contextualized to ensure accuracy, alignment with research, and pedagogical effectiveness. This section remains grounded in institutional best practices and respects Creative Commons licensing where applicable.
