Rotating Trio Exchange (Immediate Learning Involvement Strategy)

OVERVIEW
This is an in-depth way for students to discuss issues with some (but usually not all) of their fellow classmates. The exchanges can be easily geared to the subject matter of any class.

PROCEDURE
1. Compose a variety of questions that help students begin discussion of the course content. Use questions with no right or wrong answers. For example, an English teacher might ask:
  • What do you like about Shakespearean plays? What don't you like?
  • Why is Shakespeare considered one of the greatest playwrights of all time?
  • Pick any nineteenth- or twentieth-century playwright or film writer. How would you compare this person to Shakespeare
2.  Divide students into trios. Arrange the trios in the room so that each trio can clearly see a trio to its right and one to its left. The overall configuration of the trios would be a circle or a square.
3.  Give each trio an opening question (the same question for each trio) to discuss. Select the least challenging question you have devised to begin the trio exchange. Suggest that each person in the trio take a turn answering the question.
4. After a suitable period of discussion, ask the trios to assign a 0, 1, or 2 to each of its members. Direct the students with the number 1 to rotate one trio clockwise. Ask the students with the number 2 to rotate two trios clockwise. Ask the students with the number 0 to remain seated since they are permanent members of a trio site. Have them raise their hands high so that rotating students can find them. The result will be entirely new trios.
5. Start a new exchange with a new question. Increase the difficulty or “threat level” of the questions as you proceed to new rounds.
6. You can rotate trios as many times as you have questions to pose and discussion time to allot. Each time, use the same rotation procedure. For example, in a trio exchange of three rotations, each student will get to meet, in depth, six other students.

VARIATIONS

1. After each round of questions, quickly poll the full group about their responses before rotating students to new trios.
2. Use pairs or quartets instead of trios.

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