Think-aloud pair problem-solving
In pairs, students take turns listening while the other explains their solution and reasoning to a given problem.
Promotes: Active listening, Knowledge application
- Think-Aloud-Pair Problem Solving Teaching Technique – Video & materials (K. Patricia Cross Academy).
- Adapting Think-Aloud-Pair Problem Solving for Online Teaching – Video (K. Patricia Cross Academy).
Think-Aloud-Pair-Problem Solving is a technique that allows students to work in pairs using a turn-based approach.
The instructor begins by presenting a problem or asking students to think of a problem, which they must solve. Taking turns, Student A presents the problem to their partner and explains their proposed solutions based on theory and assumptions. Student B is tasked with active listening, responding at the end of the explanation with feedback and comments to validate the solution or address any errors or imprecisions. These roles are then reversed, so that Student B presents a new problem followed by the problem solving expression and Student A engages in active listening followed by feedback and comments in response to the explanation.
Think-aloud pair problem-solving
This illustration shows the Think-aloud pair problem-solving active learning technique with two figure drawings depicting two students (A and B) working together. Figure drawing of student A is carrying out "Active Listening" shown in a listening graphic shown above the head of the figure drawing of student A while the figure drawing of student B shows in the speech bubble above their head with the text "Problem Solving" the action explaining problem solving steps that the figure drawing of student A is listening and responding to.
The illustration shows the same four figure drawings while alternating the text in the speech bubbles showing figure drawing of student B now engaged in "Active listening" indicated in a listening graphic above the head and figure drawing of student A now engaged in outlining the steps for problem solving indicated in the speech bubble above the head of student A containing the text, "Problem Solving". These two drawings are repeated again to illustrate four alternating terms altogether as a sequence representing four turns.