The title of this strategy (Think-Pair-Share) is an apt description of its process: 1) students begin by thinking about a particular concept or problem on their own; 2) students are then paired with one or more peers to discuss their reactions/solutions to the problem; and 3) these small student groups share their observations or findings with other members of the class.
When to Use It?
While think-pair-share was originally designed to help students engage with reading material, it can be applied to a wide variety of educational contexts in which the instructor’s goal is to combine both individual and group work.
Summary of Technique
There are numerous benefits to using the think-pair-share model. Not only do students have the opportunity to think through a problem on their own, resulting in focused engagement with the course material, but they must also articulate their ideas and reasoning with others. The process of articulating ideas forces them to clarify their thoughts as well as justify any possible differences they might encounter with their partner(s). Furthermore, students are exposed to a wide variety of views and solutions, which helps them appreciate different viewpoints.
Think-Pair-Share from Kent State University
Getting the Think-Pair-Share Technique Right
Think-Pair-Share from Reading Rockets
How to Use the Think-Pair-Share Activity in Your Classroom
Think-Pair-Share has worked well in group piano classes when exercises have multiple solutions/approaches. Asking students to think independently about possible solutions allows them to think through the activity in its entirety before ultimately being paired with one or more classmates. The pairing process works well because students invariably arrive at different answers through their individual work, and pairing them together not only allows them to see different options, but it also forces them to think through and articulate the reasons why they chose certain answers.
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