Making Student Thinking Visible

The study of a lesson involves observation of student learning and thinking throughout the class period. Consequently, the lesson must make student thinking visible and open to observation and analysis. Thinking is visible or audible when students answer questions, participate in discussions, work out problems, write answers, and demonstrate skilled action. For example, student discussions are opportunities to watch students trying to make sense of new material and ideas. And, students reveal their thinking when they try to explain an idea, think through a problem out loud or justify a response.

Some classes that are highly interactive afford multiple opportunities to see and hear student thinking during the class period. But large classes in particular pose a challenge. In these cases, instructors may want to experiment with active learning techniques that have been used in large classes (these can also be used in smaller classes).  For more information, please download the following document:

• "Several Instructional Techniques that Make Students’ Thinking Visible"

Bill Cerbin