Think, Pair, Share

Site Owner

Think, Pair, Share

Think, Pair, Share is a structure first developed by
Professor Frank Lyman at the University of Maryland in 1981 and adopted by
many writers in the field of co-operative learning since then. It
introduces into the peer interaction element of co-operative learning the
idea of ‘wait or think’ time, which has been demonstrated to be a
powerful factor in improving student responses to questions.

It is a simple strategy, effective from early childhood
through all subsequent phases of education to tertiary and beyond. It is a
very versatile structure, which has been adapted and used, in an endless
number of ways. This is one of the foundation stones for the development
of the ‘co-operative classroom.’

PURPOSE

Processing information, communication, developing
thinking.

RELEVANT SKILLS

Sharing information, listening, asking questions,
summarising others’ ideas, paraphrasing.

STEPS

Teacher poses a problem or asks an open-ended
question to which there may be a variety of answers.
Teacher gives the students ‘think time’ and
directs them to think about the question.
[size=15]Following the ‘think time’ students turn to face
their Learning Partner and work together, sharing ideas, discussing,
clarifying and challenging.[/size]
[size=15]The pair then share their ideas with another pair, or
with the whole class. It is important that students need to be able to
share their partner’s ideas as well as their own.[/size]

[size=15]Positive interdependence[/size]

[size=15]The students are
able to learn from each other[/size]

[size=15]I[/size][size=15]ndividual
accountability[/size]

[size=15]Students are
accountable to each other for sharing ideas. The student may also be
required to share their partner’s ideas to another pair or whole group.[/size]

[size=15]Equal
participation[/size]

[size=15]Each student
within the group has an equal opportunity to share. It is possible that
one student may try to dominate. The teacher can check this does not
happen.[/size]

[size=15]Simultaneous
interaction[/size]

[size=15]High degrees of
interaction. At any one moment all of the students will be actively
engaged in purposeful speaking and listening. Compare this with the usual
practice of teacher questioning where only one or two students would be
actively engaged.[/size]

[size=15]APPLICATIONS[/size]

Before a lesson or topic to orient the class
(previous knowledge etc).
During teacher modeling or explanation.
Any time, to check understanding of material.
At the end of a teacher explanation, demonstration
etc, to enable students to cognitively process the material.
To break up a long period of sustained activity.
Whenever it is helpful to share ideas.
For clarification of instructions, rules of a game,
homework etc.
For the beginning of a plenary session.

CURRICULUM IDEAS

Think, Pair, Share can be used in all curriculum areas
and is limited only by the creativity of the teacher. This structure along
with Numbered Heads Together is an excellent substitute for the normally
competitive structures in a question and answer session.

COMMENTS

This is an essential structure to introduce early in the
process of establishing the ‘co-operative classroom.’ It ensures a
high level of engagement (it is hard to be left out of a pair!) and is
more secure than a large group.

Think, Pair, Share has many advantages over the
traditional questioning structure. The ‘Think Time’ incorporates the
important concept of ‘wait time’. It allows all children to develop
answers. Longer and more elaborate answers can be given. Answers will have
reasons and justifications because they have been thought about and
discussed. Students are more willing to take risks and suggest ideas
because they have already ‘tested’ them with their partner.

source: [You must be registered and logged in to see this link.]

Site Reviewer

Well... I admit the session is tiring yet enjoying. It takes two hours of my precious time from syllabus implementation. For that, every teacher is to handle it carefully. Thank you, madam, for the reminder.