Students learn best when they are actively engaged
in meaningful activities; when they collaborate
with peers, exchange ideas, and provide and
receive peer feedback; when they reflect critically
on what they are doing; when they work on realworld,
challenging, authentic activities; when their
work is constantly evaluated; and when they are
intrinsically motivated. (p. 2)
The assignments discussed in the following paper
address these two problems (i.e., student engagement
and critical thinking) simultaneously while introducing
pedagogical strategies for change in the classroom.