Reciprocal learning: a process of agility

For reciprocal learning to occur students talk and listen with the teacher and each other about mathematics, scripture, a good book - so as to develop the skills of predicting, clarifying, questioning and summarising. The teacher commences by modeling the four processes (explicitly naming each step) and works with the students until they are confident enough to move through the steps independently. These skills are foundation strategies for efficient learners to gain understanding, i.e. participation in reciprocal groups support the development of comprehension skills.

- Predicting: the anticipation of what will come next. Students draw on prior knowledge and on structure and content. This step encourages remembering and thinking ahead. As students get use to the process, predictions become more thoughtful. It can involve talking and listening, drawing, dramatising, writing or in Maths and Science physically testing.

- Clarifying: students become aware that something may be difficult to understand. It may be because of new words, something unfamiliar or a difficult concept. Students are taught ways, based on their strengths, to restore meaning, e.g. asking questions, re-reading or teacher rephrasing.

- Questioning: students have the opportunity to ask questions of the teacher as well as each other. To seek solutions they find relevant information to help them understand.

- Summarising: this is the opportunity for identifying and integrating the most important information. Students identify the things of importance and express it in a way that indicates understanding. In reading it may at first be a sentence, next a paragraph and then a larger concept as they become more proficient.

With the facilitator’s persistence, and consideration to providing worthwhile content, the practise of reciprocal learning supports students with agility for life long learning.

“Widen the space of your tent, extend the curtains of your home, do not hold back! Lengthen your ropes, make your tent-pegs firm.” Isaiah 54:2