A variation of Think-Pair-Share in which learners pair with a partner to discuss a question. After a set amount of time, pairs merge to form a group of four to discuss the topic further. Finally, learners share with the whole class.
Photo by Fauxels
Individual/Group Activity
Group & Individually
Class Size
Small (<25), Medium (25-50), & Large (51-200)
Bloom’s Taxonomy Level
Understand
Development Initial
Transitional Knowing
Minimum Time to Facilitate
16 – 30 Minutes
MinimumTimeto Debrief
< 10 Minutes
PDFs
Here
Discipline-Specific Examples
STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) Please contact us at activelearning@uga.edu with an example to include!
Co-Curricular (experiences outside of the formal classroom but contribute to student learning) Please contact us at activelearning@uga.edu with an example to include!
Universal Design for Active Learning
Universal Design for Active Learning UDL and active learning share a common goal: centering all students in the learning experience. When designing an activity, UDL‑informed instructors consider how the activity could be open to all students while preserving the core learning goal.
Timing & Pacing Allow adequate think time before pairing. Avoid moving to the sharing phase before students have developed their ideas.
Social Interaction Allow students to choose their partner to reduce difficulty for those who find random pairing challenging. Provide individual think time before discussion.
Information Accessibility Provide the discussion prompt in writing for reference during both the pair and square phases.
Ways to Participate/Express Allow sharing verbally, in writing, or through a combination during both phases.
Online Adaptations
Coming Soon!
Additional Resources
Zubaidah, A. M., Mr, W., & Mr, T. (2017, January). Metacognition Think Aloud Strategies In Setting Cooperative Think-Pair-Share/Square to Develop Student’s Math Problem Solving Ability. In International Conference on Mathematics and Science Education (pp. 122-127). Atlantis Press: https://www.atlantis-press.com/proceedings/icmsed-16/25869943
Rufiana, D., & Mulyadi, M. (2017). USING THINK-PAIR-SQUARE-SHARE STRATEGY TO IMPROVE STUDENTS’SPEAKING ABILITY FOR INDONESIAN SENIOR HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS. JOALL (Journal of Applied Linguistics and Literature), 2(1), 83-93: https://ejournal.unib.ac.id/joall/article/view/5872
