Rica's Faculty Share Site: Ranking Tasks

New to active learning strategies? Click here...

If you are new to active learning strategies, please [please, please, please] do not attempt to try everything all at once! It should be obvious, but that's a recipe for failure. That and improper implementation are the primary sources of frustrations such as "those methods don't work for me." Evidence now shows that research-validated interactive learning strategies can benefit ALL students in ALL classroom environments. But...the quality of our implementation is likely the most deterministic factor toward student achievement.

So choose one thing to focus on (Think-Pair-Share is typically considered the "gateway drug") and practice proper implementation until you are comfortable enough to add an additional component.

Remember to ask for help! You aren't the first to need assistance and you won't be the last. Even experienced implementers are always asking questions and seeking guidance. Don't go it alone!

Ranking Tasks

What is a "ranking task"?

Ranking tasks (RTs) are exercises that require students to make comparative judgments about a set of variations on a particular situation. Often the exercises are conceptual though mathematical reasoning can be required. Ideally, a ranking task limits extraneous cognitive load and promotes germane load by reinforcing the resolution of a cognitive conflict already experienced in another setting, e.g. in a lecture tutorial or simulation.

How do I implement ranking tasks in my class?

While it is possible to use RTs in the same way one uses lecture tutorials, it is also very popular to assign them as homework (especially if you use lecture tutorials during class). This is what I do in my courses. Nearly all of the homework in my "Astro 101" courses is in the form of RTs. I make use of RTs in other courses as appropriate.

Where do I get these ranking tasks?

Collaborators at the Center for Astronomy Education (CAE) have developed a robust set of research-validated RTs and freely distribute them on their website. I have modified some of these RTs and developed many more on other topics for use in my courses. All are below.

Note that my own RTs have not been formally research-validated!
Some of my RTs (most notably the solar system ones) are not research-worthy and I freely admit that they're essentially busy work that are pretty much just "can you read a table correctly?" activities.
My RTs were designed to fill specific gaps in my particular courses so your mileage may vary. (Many don't yet have all the "kinks" worked out either so use at your own risk.)

I have converted the RTs to PDF "fillin" forms for use with the [free] Adobe Reader so my students can submit them online via a learning management system without the need for imaging or scanning.