Think-Pair-Share

Short Description

Think-Pair-Share combines individual and cooperative learning in three phases. In the first phase, the students work alone with limited time. In the second phase, they discuss and compare their results in the group for a given time before presenting their results to the class in the third phase.

Tools

Can be digital and non-digital. For digital, e.g. WiKi, Etherpad, Mindmapping tools.

Scenario

Both, complex and less extensive topics can be worked out. A common scenario for Think-Pair-Share is to divide one large class of students into several groups of usually 4-10 students to work on e.g. a marketing strategy. First, each student has to work on a certain topic by him-/herself independently, e.g. one evaluates the competitors, the next does research on cultural environment, the third works on a SWOT analysis etc. The group then discusses all findings, evaluations etc. and presents their proposal for a marketing strategy, based on their individual and strategy and collaborative work. The “limited time” for this can vary from one session only to several weeks or the entire semester, depending on the complexity.

Assessment

Besides the direct assessment, mostly in the form of feedback within the group, different methods can be chosen, e.g.: (formal/digitally supported)

• Peer-review
• Checklists
• Rubrics

Connection with other methods

Work in teams
Group discussion
Collaborative learning
Mind maps