A 3-minute paper is a short written formative test where you ask students to demonstrate their knowledge and understanding of a specific topic in just 3 minutes. With a 3-minute paper, you can challenge students to gather and organise their knowledge quickly and efficiently, distinguish main and minor points, write down key elements, and you can assess them on their ability to apply knowledge quickly.
For example, in this way:
- Ask a clear question or give a topic for students to respond to, be as specific as possible in this.
- Give them 3 minutes to write down their answer. Use for example Mentimeter to collect the answers.
- Let students come up with answers on their own. Advise them against using their book or other resources.
- Rate the answers based on clear criteria, such as knowledge, understanding, clarity and logic.
- Use the results of the 3-minute paper as a basis for feedback to the students and discuss the results with them.
Some examples:
- Psychology: “Describe the theory of self-determination.”
- Law: “Describe the legal implications of workplace discrimination.”
- Economics: “Describe the functioning of the European Central Bank and how it affects the economy.”
- Political science: “Describe the characteristics of neoliberalism.”
Tip: you can also use a 3-minute paper at the end of a lesson or lecture to anonymously evaluate students’ general level of knowledge. Or, for example, to ask which concepts are still unclear. See also this Mixed Classroom one-minute paper technique.
Want to know more?
- One minute paper – Erasmus Universiteit
See also: Exit ticket, Mixed Classroom one-minute paper technique.
Tools: Mentimeter, Canvas Quizzes.
VU Taxonomy?
Programme specific skills in applying knowledge and understandingWritten communication
What total group size?
More than three hundredMore than one hundred
Between fifty and one hundred
Up to fifty
Up to twenty five