Purpose
This method allows each student or a representative of each group of
students to share their views, opinions, and findings with the group. It
allows for opinions to be heard and assessed in a structured manner.
When used as a tool for reviewing written material, this method provides
a quick and effective way to ensure all students grasp something they
have read, and can help catch up the students who may have difficulty
reading. When used after group work, this method ensures that all groups
contribute to the discussion, without having the class become bored as
another group is presenting. It can be especially useful as a tool to
debrief another activity or to review information.
Procedures
- First, all students read something (like a fact pattern), discuss something, or engage in an activity.
- Begin the round robin by having a student (or a person representing a
group) state his or her view, opinion, or findings. Alternatively, each
student can name one fact from the reading.
- Proceed to the next student (or person representing a group) and
have that person state his or her view, opinion, findings or fact.
- Continue until all the pertinent views, opinions, findings or facts have been voiced.
- (optional) If you want to challenge students to improve
their listening and critical thinking skills, ask them to pay attention
to what other students say and then say something new or acknowledge
someone they agree or disagree with. For example, “I completely agree
with Janet that the death penalty should be abolished because…” or “To
add onto Adam's point, another reason we should have the death penalty
is…”