The Think-Pair-Share technique is an activating educational method in which students spend 10 to 15 minutes thinking about a problem in three structured steps. It can also be a statement, a difficult concept, or a controversial or challenging question from an exam.
This activity can be used at the beginning, during, or at the end of a lecture. At the beginning of a lecture or workshop, it can serve to quickly engage the students with the material. At the end of the lecture, the students can be asked if, based on new insights and information they have gained during the lecture, they have adjusted their position in any way. They can discuss this with the same student as at the beginning of the lecture, or write it down individually.
Execution
- Start. Introduce the assignment and explain what you expect from the students and how much time they have for it. Let them know that they will be sharing their results with the other students afterwards.
- Divide the students into groups of two. The easiest way is to have them talk directly to their neighbor. But sometimes you might want the students to exchange ideas with other people as well. A simple technique to ensure that students don’t always work with the same group members is to number the students and then ask them to form a group with the same numbers. If the students are still a bit unsure or don’t feel safe, address that first. For example, refer to this teaching tip.
- Thinking Phase. The students work independently and concretely on their thoughts and arguments and can write them down. Take three to four minutes for this. Give a clear signal that students can move on to the next phase.
- Pair phase (Pair). The students discuss their answer with a classmate. Take about five minutes for this.
- Share. Ask all students for their answers and involve the students in a broader discussion where different perspectives are addressed. Take about five minutes for this.
- End on a positive note. See this pedagogical tip.
Mentimeter can be useful in the sharing phase to quickly collect and share all answers, opinions, and observations centrally.
A more extensive version of the Think-Pair-Share technique is the Peer Instruction technique, where students share their answers halfway through the assignments. You can determine if they have already gained sufficient knowledge or if another round is required.
A slightly simpler form of the Think-Pair-Share technique is the Buzz group..
Mixed Classroom phase?
Phase 1: SensitizingMixed Classroom strategies?
For which total group size?
Meer dan honderdTussen vijftig en honderd
Tot vijftig
Tot vijfentwintig