Think-Pair-Share

THINK-PAIR-SHARE: (1) The instructor poses a question, preferable one demanding analysis, evaluation, or synthesis, and gives students about a minute to think through an appropriate response. This "think-time" can be spent writing, also. (2) Students then turn to a partner and share their responses. (3) During the third step, student responses can be shared within a four-person learning team, within a larger group, or with an entire class during a follow-up discussion. The caliber of discussion is enhanced by this technique, and all students have an opportunity to learn by reflection and by verbalization.

Variations/Additions:

• Give shy students post-it notes to focus/remember their thoughts
• Have pairs/quads wrap up their discussion by posting to a word/idea wall, the whiteboard, a Padlet, etc.