Four-Corners Activity - Online Engagement and Teaching Hub

What is it?

The four-corners activity is a cooperative learning strategy that promotes active learning. It can be used to explore various (four) aspects of a topic under discussion by utilising the four corners or walls of a classroom. One can easily adapt this teaching and learning strategy in various classroom activities such as debates, group work, games etc.

Why use it?

Helps promote listening, verbal communication, critical thinking and decision-making skills.
Assists in the promotion of collaborative learning and knowledge sharing.
Can be used as a fun activity by getting students move around to keep them engaged and entertained.

How do I do it?

Watch the video below as it outlines the process of the four-corner s activity, and how it can be adapted for online settings.

	Synchronous face-to-face	Synchronous online	Asynchronous	Tools
Student preparation	Depending on how it gets implemented (e.g. through a debate), students might be required to: Pre-allocate topics for discussion. Read/watch relevant learning material.	Depending on how it gets implemented (e.g. through a debate), students might be required to: Pre-allocate topics for discussion. Read/watch relevant learning material.	Depending on how it gets implemented (e.g. through a debate), students might be required to: Pre-allocate topics for discussion. Read/watch relevant learning material.	LMS Discussion board Zoom or Collaborate
Your preparation	Depending on how you choose to run the activity, you can use the following: Student opinions on topics/readings/material (prepare strongly agree to strongly disagree cards). Four concepts related to a topic. Four corners represent A, B, C, D options in response to a question.	Depending on how you choose to run the activity, you can use the following: Four concepts related to a topic Four corners represent A, B, C, D options in response to a question. Set up a shared document with four perspectives so students can record their responses.	Depending on how you choose to run the activity, you can use the following: Four concepts related to a topic Four corners represent A, B, C, D options in response to a question Set up a shared document with four perspectives so students can record their responses.	LMS Discussion board Zoom or Collaborate Shared documents
During activity	Depending on how the activity is run: Students choose whether they strongly agree, agree, disagree or strongly disagree on a topic. Students go to the four corners of the room (representing the four perspectives) and place markers/post-it notes. For each question students go to four points in the room. Debrief and reflect	Depending on how the activity is run: Students choose whether they strongly agree, agree, disagree or strongly disagree on a topic. Students visit the four perspectives that are indicated in the shared document. Debrief and reflect	Depending on how the activity is run: Students choose whether they strongly agree, agree, disagree or strongly disagree on a topic Students go to the four threads in a forum or a shared document (representing the four perspectives) and record their opinions. Another option is to use a poll (e.g. Menti). Students post up their ideas on each of the four perspectives. Students are required to post up at least one comment or piece of feedback per post.	LMS Discussion board Zoom or Collaborate Menti
Artefact	This activity is part of the learning process and an artefact may or may not be produced. An artefact could include individual or group reflections on the activity and what was learned.	This activity is part of the learning process and an artefact may or may not be produced. An artefact could include individual or group reflections on the activity and what was learned.	The discussion between students.	LMS Discussion board

Considerations

Timing can be challenging and a timer can be helpful to keep things on track (synchronous).
Ensure you visit each group to gauge their understanding of the topic (all modes).

Resources

Four corners strategy from modelteaching.com

Faculty focus on the four corners activity

Education world and the four corners activity