Student-Centered Strategy #2: Move From the Front

Teachers, Move from the Front of the Classroom.

Don't get stuck in an instructional rut by standing up at the front of the class all day long. Try sitting on the side of the room or in an absent student's desk and say, "I need someone to go up and demonstrate ____ for us." Students are more likely to talk much longer if they are up front than if they are in their seats. You can also ask follow up questions from other students instead of commenting on the demo yourself ("What do you all think? Is this an effective method--how do you know? Does anyone use a different strategy or approach?)

This is a way for teachers to talk less and for students to talk more.

Student-Centered Strategy #1: Round Robin

Over the next two weeks, I want to share some strategies that you can implement to increase student engagement and cooperation.

Strategy #1: Round Robin Kagan Structure (not to be confused with round robin reading)
Round Robin Kagan Structure is just a way to provide talk time within a small group/team.

• Teacher announces topic and provides "think time".
• Teammate answers and others participate with a clockwise rotation.
• Each teammate gives his/her short answer to the topic, but it must be different form what was previously stated.
• Sharing is over after each teammate has spoken. 

Here is a 1-minute video explanation: https://youtu.be/RmkDllP1JDw

Round Robin with a twist!:

• Continuous Round Robin: Sharing continues in clockwise rotation and is over when teacher calls time.
• Timed Round Robin: Each teammate talks for a specific amount of time.
• All Write Round Robin: As each teammate says his/her short answer to the topic, each teammate writes the answers on their own paper.