Learning Cell

In Learning Cells, students individually develop questions about a reading assignment or other learning activity and then work with a partner, alternating asking and answering each other’s questions

The purpose of this CoLT is to engage students actively in thinking about content, to encourage students to generate thought-provoking questions, and to teach students how to check their understanding. Creating questions about an assignment requires students to think about content in a way that is different from simply taking notes on it. It provides an opportunity for students to think analytically, to elaborate as they put material in their own words, and to begin to use the language of the discipline.

• Creating questions about an assignment requires students to think about content in a way that is different from simply taking notes on it.
• It provides an opportunity for students to think analytically, to elaborate as they put material in their own words, and to begin to use the language of the discipline.
• It is an active learning style that is open, generative, evolvable, connected, cohesive and intelligent.

1. Ask students to individually develop a list of questions and answers dealing with the major points raised in a reading or other learning assignment.
2. Form student pairs, or simply ask students to partner with a student sitting nearby.
3. Explain the process by which you want partners to alternate asking and answering each other’s questions.
4. Student A begins by asking the first question, and Student B answers the question. Student A offers corrections and additional information until a satisfactory answer is achieved.
5. Student B asks the next question and Student A answers, and the process repeats until all questions have been asked and answered.
6. During the questioning-answering stages of the exercise, the teacher may monitor progress, give feedback and intervene when necessary.