The technique "think, pair, and share" can be used with learners of any age and with any subject matter. After a lecture or presentation, the teacher allows the students a few minutes to think about or assimilate the information; each student then discusses his insights with a partner, and the instructor allots a specified amount of time for the two to exchange ideas. At the end of the time period, the partners share the essence of their discussion with the entire class. This requires students to summarize their thoughts, a useful method for reviewing information.
In "jigsawing," each group in the classroom focuses on a different aspect of a problem or issue. Each group devises solutions for their portion of the project, then all of the groups consolidate their information. For example, the issue might be the levels of Bloom's Taxonomy. Each small group would be assigned a different level of the taxonomy: evaluation, synthesis, analysis, knowledge, comprehension and application. Each group would create a list of five activities appropriate to their assigned level of taxonomy; after 20 minutes the entire class would reconvene to combine their ideas. Jigsawing allows small groups to research one aspect of a subject more deeply while assuring that they still have a grasp of the overall concept.
Role-playing requires students to use their creativity as well demonstrate their knowledge of content to act out something they have learned. For example, students in a history or literature course might role-play a well-known character. Students in education courses can role-play teaching or dealing with behavioral issues. In role-play, students must use their knowledge from their own backgrounds, books, classwork, and journals to create an interpretation of the character or situation involved.
In brainstorming, students list everything they know or remember about a particular topic. Brainstorming can be a useful way to begin a class session; the activity helps focus students on the subject and assists instructors in assessing the level of students' prior knowledge. At the end of a class, brainstorming can be utilized to assess students' comprehension of the information presented during the session.