I swear education is obsessed with “turn and talk”
The education strategy of asking an open ended question and then telling them to turn to the person next to them to talk about it before the entire group does.
First problem I have: make sure everyone is included (even if that means assigning partners). My one graduate class is obsessed with this strategy and I got left out of both groups of three on either side of me. And our tables are literally arranged in pairs. The one at my table should have turned to me but yet turned to the table to our right. And due to nothing to focus on, I started having problems, which leads me to…
Second problem I have: this strategy can be really unfriendly to those with auditory sensory issues. Think about it, everyone else is talking and all you hear is a wall of sound with little to no ability to make out what is being said, let alone respond. That’s what it’s like for these students. Sensory overload sucks and can lead to one of two scenarios- shutdown or meltdown. And you have no right to be upset with them if either one happens.
Think/write-Pair/write-Share/write is another variation on Turn and Talk but with some key benefits:
•It prepares students with auditory sensory issues for the oncoming “pair” session by having a chance to get their thoughts together first.
•If using the optional writing parts, which I highly suggest you do if possibly, now the students have notes, a really good tool for those who struggle with short and long term memory.
•It slows the process down just a little bit, making it easier for students to process what is going on. A key factor for students with processing issues.
At least I have a good sense of additional possible needed accommodations that I’m going to need to request for the spring semester after having to deal with a semester of this freaking strategy.
