In Class Explorations:
An ICE is a paper and pencil activity that is designed to be done by small
cooperative groups of no more than five students in a class setting. The activity
will pose a question/problem or questions/problems that are focused on a course
learning objective. The questions/problems are presented in a handout or as
a class presentation by the instructor. Students are expected to have a group
discussion and come to a consensus response to the questions/problems. They
then submit the consensus response for the instructor’s consideration.
A class discussion can then be based on the ICE. ICEs can be used to introduce
concepts, review concepts, or test student understanding, They can be used as
part of an instructional tactic that combines an ICE with a PLE and/or a class
discussion, ICEs can be based on a problem set, inquiry questions, a chemical
demonstration, or a data table or graph.
Examples from Fall 2003