A New Kind of Institute Class: Contributing

I am a big fan of institute. That being said sometimes I wonder...

Q: What different institute class options could meet individuals' needs in new ways?

GOOD BETTER BEST LEARNING:
Elder Oaks said, "it is good... to hold a meeting, better to teach a principle, but best to actually improve lives as a result of the meeting." In a similar manner, the same ranking seems to apply to institute very well. It is good to have institute. It is better to teach/learn good principles there, and it is best to apply or enact correct principles.

NEW EDUCATIONAL METHODS:
As a former teacher, I saw new instructional methods frequently. A method that began a few years ago is called a flipped-model classroom. My students "watched" a lesson at home for homework and then when we were together in class we applied the content.

Could a similar method be used in regards to institute? Could some institute class options transition from a "stand & deliver" / "sit & listen" style to a workshop kind of a class where class members actively participate and contribute through tech or service right then and there?

USING INSTITUTE TO MEET STAKE NEEDS:
While teaching a stake institute class, my co-teacher and I wanted to be a resource to bishops to aide the needs they saw in their wards. We sent out a simple email survey asking what their ward members needed and then we took their insights and directed our efforts to aide those causes through the curriculum we covered and the teaching/learning methods we utilized.

Of all of the priority needs that my current and previous stake presidency have expressed, the two most reoccurring seem to me to be along the lines of 1) Unity/Connection/Friendship/Loneliness 2) Personal spiritual strength that comes through scripture study, pondering time, obedience and faith/worship. A participation-based class seems to me like it could greatly aide with both of these needs, possibly most especially with the first.

WHAT OTHER INSTITUTE CLASS OPTIONS MIGHT THERE BE?
Create.lds.org
A create.lds.org class could be a place where friends come together and use their hobbies, interests and skills to meet the church's requested needs that are posted on that website. Class members could read what the current needs are and use their hobbies to take pictures, develop music, video, etc, and then submit it to the church website.

Vineyard.lds.org
There is a large variety of online service projects listed on the vineyard.lds.org website. Most projects can be worked on in as little as five minute intervals, but could easily be extended to last the duration of a class period. Class members can participate and be active contributors, working together to meet the current needs of the church.

Family History:
I would love to take family names to the temple but I need help learning the steps to do this on familysearch.org. My stake also has a goal that every member will take a family name to the temple this year. This is a perfect example of how an institute program can work hand in hand with the other auxiliaries of a stake to facilitate the goals and needs of the stake members and stake presidency. Another great option could be to using one class a month as a time to go to the temple together and complete ordinances for the individuals they've been researching.

Workshop classes can have instruction at the beginning of the lesson, followed up by hands-on, participation. Class members could bring their lap tops and work side-by-side with each other, ask questions, receive support and experience synergy in learning and living the principles.

LEARN & LIVE SUMMARY:
While absolutely keeping the standard works class options, adding new classes that invite hands-on participation might add desired variety for a lot of people. I have been fortunate to have great gospel classes for years. After graduating from BYU, having loved years of religion classes there, I began attending stake institute. A couple years later, I was spoiled to be called as an institute instructor to teach the Old and New Testaments, the Book of Mormon, the Pearl of Great Price, The Doctrine and Covenants, and Teachings of The Living Prophets. While a study of these never ends, individuals who have taken and/or taught these classes year after year, may appreciate and be refreshed by the opportunity to learn and contribute in new ways.

I find that there is a huge desire for learners to be contributors, especially learners in the up-and-coming generation. They are familiar with being able to tweet, post, reply, share, go at their personal pace, choose according to their personal interest and participate in the learning process. 

Can we in similar fashion to some of the new educational methods we see today (service learning, flipped classroom instruction, Come Follow Me program & more) bridge institute options from a lecture/discussion/"stand and deliver" approach to a hands-on-workshop, participation and application based approach where we learn and live the principles in real time? Where they not only listen to or "take" from a lesson, but where they can also participate in and "contribute" to what the church needs. Serving with others seems to me that it would build friendships and faith, both definitely goals of the institute program.
Having institute is good. Learning principles is better. Living them is best.
Here's to living it,
Ali~

If you have ideas or recommendations for other class options, please share your idea in the comment section below. I'd love this to be a place for sharing good, collaborative ideas.