Activation methods – Train the Trainer: Teaching and leading in Open Research

Beyond the lecture: activating learners in academic teaching

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title: "Activation methods"
---

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[Click here to see the materials in full screen](activation-methods.pdf)

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## About these materials

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## Citation statement
Please cite these materials as: Renard, S., Von Grebmer zu Wolfsthurn, S. (2026). *Beyond the lecture: activating learners in academic teaching* [PowerPoint slides]. [LMU PROFIL](https://www.lmu.de/profil/de/). [https://lmu-osc.github.io/train-the-trainer-open-research/activation-methods](https://lmu-osc.github.io/train-the-trainer-open-research/activation-methods)
:::

**Welcome!** In this workshop, **provide future open research instructors and train-the-trainers** explore how **short activation methods** can **support attention, engagement, and learning processes** in higher education teaching and when teaching about open research Especially in longer, input-heavy, or hybrid learning settings, small interactive interventions can help learners stay **focused**, cognitively engaged, and **actively involved**. You will **experience** and **reflect** on a range of low-threshold activation methods that can easily be **integrated into different teaching formats** with **minimal preparation effort**. The workshop combines short theoretical inputs with practical exercises, and reflection activities, enabling you to directly **connect the methods** to your **own teaching practice** in the context of open research

### Who are these materials for?

- **Future open research train-the-trainers** teaching *other* open research instructors or educators in higher education (e.g., universities, colleges) and
- **Aspiring open research instructors** and **self-learners**  

with familiarity about open research challenges, issues and tools.

### Prerequisites

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| Prerequisite   |  Description  | Link/Where to find it   |
|------------|------------|------------|
| Familiarity with Open Science concepts and practices | Examples: Replication crisis, open access, R, version control, preregistration, etc.| [Click here to get familiar with Open Research first](https://lmu-osc.github.io/training/self-learning.html) |
| Didactic principles | A firm grasp on didactic tools for teaching | [Click here to get familiar with didactic principles](https://lmu-osc.github.io/train-the-trainer-open-research/teaching-open-research/core-didactic-principles/) |
| Concept planning | Familiarity with techniques to plan, design and structure an Open Research event | [Click here to get familiar with planning and Open Reserch event principles](https://lmu-osc.github.io/train-the-trainer-open-research/teaching-open-research/concept-planning/) |
| Creating a positive learning environment | Familiarity with techniques to create a productive and safe learning environment in an open research workshop context | [Click here to get familiar with this topic](https://lmu-osc.github.io/train-the-trainer-open-research/teaching-open-research/creating-positive-environment/) |
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### Learning objectives

At the end of this session, you will be able to...

- **Describe** how instructors can design workshops to support learning
- **Explain** the ICAP framework (Chi, 2009)
- **Reflect on** how different activation methods match a specific learning objective
- **Practice** different activation methods and reflect on their implementation into learners' respective teaching environments

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## Contributors and licence details

**Creator**: Renard, Sophie, [LMU Profl](https://www.lmu.de/profil/de/profil-ueber-uns/personen-und-beratungsfachgebiete/kontaktseite/sophie-renard-3cedfec5.html)

**Reviewer**: Von Grebmer zu Wolfsthurn, Sarah (![](images/ORCID-iD_icon_16x16.png){fig-alt="orcid logo"}
[0000-0002-6413-3895](https://orcid.org/0000-0002-6413-3895))

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<div style="background-color: #f0f0f0; padding: 0.05em; border-radius: 2px; font-size: 0.6em;">
This current work by Sophie Renard and Sarah von Grebmer zu Wolfsthurn is licensed under a [Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International SA License](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/deed.en) (CC-BY-SA 4.0 ). It permits unrestricted re-use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited. If you remix, transform, or build upon the material, you must distribute your contributions under the same license as the original.
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