Fishbowl is a activity where students discuss in a group while other students observe, provide feedback, and possibly switch roles. It helps students to actively process subject matter.
• Have 3-4 students sit in the middle or front in a group. This is the fishbowl. The rest of the students sit around them. • Pose a complex question or present a statement to the students in the fishbowl. Preferably, this should appeal to their prior knowledge. • Let the students in the fishbowl discuss the statement or complex question with each other. • The other students observe and take notes. • As a teacher, keep your distance and guide the conversation when necessary. • Afterwards, discuss the conversation with the students: what stood out? Was anything missing?
• Optionally, let students switch places. For example, when they have finished speaking or think they can add something. You can, for instance, ask students to come forward and, on your signal, tap another student on the shoulder to switch places. In this way, you engage all students even more actively. • Do you want to do this digitally (remotely)? Then, for example, let a few students have a conversation on Microsoft Teams, and let the rest just listen. Then discuss the conversation with all attendees as described above.
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