Strategy 3: Ensure Every Student Contributes with Pre-Answer
One strategy to ensure all students are actively participating is to have everyone “pre-answer” the question. After posing a question, have all students write down what they would say before being asked to contribute or participate in a discussion. This communicates that the knowledge and ideas of each student has a place in the classroom and supports the sharing of perspectives from all students.
Strategy 4: Balance Participation with Talking Tokens
In small discussion groups, students use talking tokens to ensure everyone shares their ideas. Each student starts with two tokens. Every time they speak, they remove one token. If a student runs out of tokens, they must wait for others to speak. Once everyone uses their tokens, all students reset by placing their two tokens back on the table for the next round. This practice reinforces that each student’s knowledge and skills are equally valued.
Let's see these strategies in practice with Ms. Roberts
When every student has an equal chance to share, collaboration becomes more inclusive and meaningful. Structures like pre-answer and talking tokens ensure that all voices are heard, valued, and contribute to the group’s success.
Ms. Roberts notices that in many groups, the same two or three students are doing most of the talking. To give everyone an equal chance to contribute, she introduces the idea of talking tokens. Each student in a group starts with two tokens. Every time they speak, they place a token in the center of the table. Once a student has used both tokens, they wait until everyone else has had a chance to share before taking another turn.
In Practice with Ms. Roberts
At first, a few students who normally speak less often look unsure. But as the discussion gets going, they begin to use their tokens and share ideas. The students who usually dominate the conversation quickly notice they need to listen more carefully. Afterward, Ms. Roberts points out how the activity helped the group follow their norms about pausing, listening, and making sure all voices are heard.
Image Credit: Allison Shelley for EDUimages
[old] Collaboration - Strategy 3 + 4
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Transcript
Strategy 3: Ensure Every Student Contributes with Pre-Answer
One strategy to ensure all students are actively participating is to have everyone “pre-answer” the question. After posing a question, have all students write down what they would say before being asked to contribute or participate in a discussion. This communicates that the knowledge and ideas of each student has a place in the classroom and supports the sharing of perspectives from all students.
Strategy 4: Balance Participation with Talking Tokens
In small discussion groups, students use talking tokens to ensure everyone shares their ideas. Each student starts with two tokens. Every time they speak, they remove one token. If a student runs out of tokens, they must wait for others to speak. Once everyone uses their tokens, all students reset by placing their two tokens back on the table for the next round. This practice reinforces that each student’s knowledge and skills are equally valued.
Let's see these strategies in practice with Ms. Roberts
When every student has an equal chance to share, collaboration becomes more inclusive and meaningful. Structures like pre-answer and talking tokens ensure that all voices are heard, valued, and contribute to the group’s success.
Ms. Roberts notices that in many groups, the same two or three students are doing most of the talking. To give everyone an equal chance to contribute, she introduces the idea of talking tokens. Each student in a group starts with two tokens. Every time they speak, they place a token in the center of the table. Once a student has used both tokens, they wait until everyone else has had a chance to share before taking another turn.
In Practice with Ms. Roberts
At first, a few students who normally speak less often look unsure. But as the discussion gets going, they begin to use their tokens and share ideas. The students who usually dominate the conversation quickly notice they need to listen more carefully. Afterward, Ms. Roberts points out how the activity helped the group follow their norms about pausing, listening, and making sure all voices are heard.
Image Credit: Allison Shelley for EDUimages