Productive Talk

Debbie Cargill
Jan 25, 2010

Why is the use of Collaborative Pairs beneficial to student learning? In an online "Talks with an Author" about their new ASCD book, Productive Group Work: How to Engage Students, Build Teamwork, and Promote Understanding, authors Nancy Frey, Douglas Fisher, and Sandi Everlove talk about the importance of group work as a "stepping stone to learning and mastery." Group work includes pairs and/or small groups. The power of productive group work is built around the gradual release of responsibility model and Frey asserts that it is the "linchpin for what happens in student learning." She says that productive group work helps students to "consolidate what they know, clarify what they don't know, and extend their knowledge about the concepts and skills being learned." Fisher added that it also builds confidence and competence in students.

As an effective strategy, Collaborative Pairs are an essential part of the Acquisition Lesson. Talking about the learning, especially new learning, helps students make sense of it, clear up misunderstandings, and take learning to a deeper level. As an organizational tool, students are grouped collaboratively in order to actively engage their thinking about new learning. Active student engagement results in a higher level of learning.

To become a collaborative classroom, set the expectations and model appropriate behaviors for productive talk. Just as with other classroom procedures and routines, students must be taught what Collaborative Pairs look like and be given opportunities to practice. While there are many opportunities for group work, Collaborative Pairs should be used extensively throughout Acquisition Lessons for practice and summarizing. If necessary, start slowly, but build this effective practice into lessons for better retention and transfer. Working together productively is a necessary skill for success in adult life.

See What Moves You: How to get the most from Collaborative Pairs for more information.