Reciprocal Teaching

Through our class discussion yesterday it was very interesting to see the potential that reciprocal teaching can have on many levels of education.  Once students know what is expected of them in regards to the four different jobs that can be assigned.  Regardless of the task one is asked to complete, all students must think critically and break down the subject matter at hand.  Allowing them to work in small groups they are also given the opportunity to run ideas off of one another.  Many times students are able to explain ideas on more understandable terms because they are able to find better connections.  

One of the better features of this approach is when students get to develop wuestions that coincide with the topic being dicussed in class.  This is the perfect oppurutnity for the teacher to assess whenther thier studtns have understood the material.  This will also give them the chance to assess whenther they have presented the material in an affective manner.  

More importantly this techniques allows the students to be interactive rather than having them sit there and take notes.  The best way to have students understand a particular text is to have them learn it on their own terms and them give assistance where they may be having difficulties.  Through personal experience, students tend to retain information better when they learn information on their own.  Similar to that of multiple intelligence, students may not learn well strictly from the way you deliver information.

Reciprocal reaching is a method that allows teachers to better themselves based on the feedback they receive from their students.  This in fact helps an educator become the best they can be, which should be the goal of all educators.  If anyone has any feedback please let me know.