Think-Pair-Share: Simple and Engaging

At some point in our lives, we've all been on the receiving end of a class or conference lecture that threatens to put us to sleep.

You can hear it now, can't you? The drone of the teacher's monotone voice, the clicks of endless PowerPoint slides with only black text on them, and the stark blank walls all conspiring against you.

For most of history, this was how teaching was conducted: information was presented to the students in a uniform way of instructor and receiver. However, as time went on and as education expanded and developed to encompass more people, ideas, technologies, and fields of knowledge, it became evident that simple lectures were not enough to effectively engage students.

Enter Active Learning, a new concept developed in the last few years, which allows students to do more than simply sit and receive information, instead enabling them to collaborate with their peers and engage with the material on a deeper level. Instead of focusing on the content being taught, active learning places an emphasis on the way it is delivered.

Image Source: Wikipedia

Using visual teaching cues, cooperative learning, and providing more interactive lessons for students places them in a more active role in their education. The motivation and engagement of students skyrockets once the material becomes relevant and personal to them; in other words, they care more if what they're learning directly impacts them.

There are so many ways to implement active learning in the classroom, but by far my favorite is Think-Pair-Share. I've used this exercise multiple times in my teaching sessions, and as a student have benefitted greatly from it as a way to generate ideas and collaboratively problem-solve. Think-Pair-Share begins with the educator asking an open-ended question, sometimes about a complex idea or an abstract concept for students to reflect upon. The students then pair up with one another to discuss the question and offer solutions, before sharing their findings with the rest of the class. Here's a video to further show how this concept works:

Video Source: YouTube

This exercise involves peer collaboration, critical thinking, and empowers students to reflect and share their thoughts with others. What separates activities like this from traditional lectures is that this type of learning is more of an exchange between students and educators, rather than a passive, one-way reception of information.

When I've participated in Think-Pair-Share's as a student, someone else in my small group offers insight on the topic that I'd never thought about, or shares their experience in a way that makes me criticize my own beliefs. Students who might not feel comfortable sharing their ideas with the entire class can share them within a smaller group, and still have their voices be heard. It's also less daunting to share findings with the class when groups can use the word "we" instead of "I" to support claims.

While lectures remain valuable to teaching, integrating active learning concepts like Think-Pair-Share can heighten student attention about the topic, and make them feel as though they have a stake in their education. Interspersing activities like these throughout the class period can transform learning environments for the better, and create a student body that is more collaborative and inspired.

Additional Resources:

Getting the Think-Pair-Share Technique Right

To Learn, Students Need to DO Something

TPS at Kent State