The instructor poses a question, preferable one demanding analysis, evaluation, or synthesis, and gives students about a minute to think through an appropriate response.
Students then turn to a partner and share their responses.
The caliber of discussion is enhanced by this technique, and all students have an opportunity to learn by reflection and by verbalization. Students switch roles. The dyad links with a second dyad. This four-member learning team then discusses the information or insights gleaned from the initial paired interviews. The instructor poses a question, usually factual in nature, but requiring some higher order thinking skills.