QUIZ / MINI-LECTURE: A TEAM-BASED
LEARNING TECHNIQUE
As an instructor, you know the value of using varied class activities and approaches for lectures. This
team-based learning approach is simply one option to incorporate into your portfolio of classroom
pedagogies.
The idea is to start the class with a 5-minute individual quiz (5 multiple choice questions; each based on
a Guiding Question in the chapter), knowing that a quiz at the beginning of class encourages students to
read the chapter and arrive prepared.
Students hand in their answer sheets and then the individual quiz is followed by a team quiz (a team of 5
or 6 students retakes the exact same quiz and chooses one team answer for each question; the team
quiz takes 7- 8 minutes).
Once the teams hand in their answer sheets, you proceed to go over each question one at a time. Teams
use i-clickers or colored index cards to indicate which answer they chose for each question. This
becomes the lead in for “mini-lectures” that you use to explain important concepts or key stumbling
blocks.
The value of this technique is that it encourages students to prepare for class, holds them accountable,
allows them to help each other learn, and still provides the structure of a lecture and “notes” that many
students still prefer. I do not use this technique with every chapter, but I use it several times throughout
the semester to mix things up and encourage group discussion of topics. We have provided sample
PowerPoint shows based on this technique for every chapter so that you can choose those that might
work best for your class.
—Susan Karr
MUDDIEST POINT
READING READINESS
QUIZ
1. The field of environmental science is
best described as
a) the study of the natural world.
b) the study of the intersection of human society
and the natural world.
c) the application of technology to address
environmental problems.
d) the combination of biology, chemistry,
geology, and physics focused on
understanding how natural ecosystems
operate.
2. Why are environmental problems often
called “wicked problems”?
a) They arise out of the greed and malice of
other people.
b) Potential solutions almost always create
additional problems.
c) They cannot be solved or even effectively
addressed.
d) They are hard to study using empirical
methods, so science can’t help find solutions.
3. The triple-bottom line is an approach to
problem analysis that includes the consideration
of the ________________ aspects of any
potential solution.
a) biological, chemical, and physical
b) human, species, and Earth
c) biocentric, ecocentric, and
anthropocentric
d) environmental, social, and economic
4. Which of the following is NOT a characteristic
of a sustainable ecosystem?
a) Relies on renewable and non-
renewable energy sources
b) Uses matter sustainably
c) Has population control
d) Depends on local biodiversity
5. If a society hopes to function sustainably, it should do
all of the following EXCEPT
a) avoid social traps like the tragedy of the
commons.
b) strive to decrease wealth inequity
around the world.
c) focus on short-term benefits to meet our
immediate needs and wants.
d) diversify our use of matter and energy
resources.
TEAM QUIZ
1. The field of environmental science is
best described as
a) the study of the natural world.
b) the study of the intersection of human society
and the natural world.
c) the application of technology to address
environmental problems.
d) the combination of biology, chemistry,
geology, and physics focused on
understanding how natural ecosystem
operate.
2. Why are environmental problems often
called “wicked problems”?
a) They arise out of the greed and malice of
other people.
b) Potential solutions almost always create
additional problems.
c) They cannot be solved or even effectively
addressed.
d) They are hard to study using empirical
methods, so science can’t help find solutions.
3. The triple-bottom line is an approach to
problem analysis that includes the consideration
of the ________________ aspects of any
potential solution.
a) biological, chemical, and physical
b) human, species, and Earth
c) biocentric, ecocentric, and
anthropocentric
d) environmental, social, and economic
4. Which of thefollowing is NOT a characteristic
of a sustainable ecosystem?
a) Relies on renewable and non-renewable
energy sources
b) Uses matter sustainably
c) Has population control
d) Depends on local biodiversity
Ecosystems are sustainable (otherwise they would not last).
They have these four characteristics:
5. If a society hopes to function sustainably, it
should do all of the following EXCEPT
a) avoid social traps like the tragedy of the
commons.
b) strive to decrease wealth inequity
around the world.
c) focus on short-term benefits to meet our
immediate needs and wants.
d) diversify our use of matter and energy
resources.