Teaching in Pairs

by S.Dixon & N.TorresiPair Teachers

An exercise into teaching...

Teaching in Pairs

Nives Torres

iItaly

(Australian)

Susan Dixon

USA

Introduction into definition of Pair Teaching

What does the term simply mean?Pair Teaching (PT) is the collaboration of 2 Teachers preparing material for one lesson or subject. The idea behind pair teaching is that there are always 2 people giving their view of the same topic. Hence the old adage “Two heads are better than one”It has been used effectively in higher education but does present negative aspects as well as strong positives.

Four Challenges

1. Planning and agreeing on layout of class topic

2. Avoiding conflict in workload and personal

views

3. Different styles and personalities of educators

may cause confusion in the classroom

4. Finding a middle ground on discipline

Some benefits of Pair Teaching (PT)

1. Assisting Trainee teachers learn from a more experienced Teacher

2. Provides collaborative support3. Learning from one another4. Input of using creativity like technology

alongside traditional use of textbooks 5. Adds an element of fun not only to the Paired

Teachers but also the students who may see it as an opportunity to learn from diverse styles.

Tips….1. Use creative interactive tools together2. Always ensure that the other pair in the equation

is not overloaded - ‘sharing is caring’3. Reinforce workload by constantly checking the

outlay and plan4. Openly accept criticism - it’s also a way to grow5. Communicate with students ‘are they learning’6. Don’t forget the objective is to get a message

across 7. Is the message clear?

A photo of the breakout room...

Google Drive doc...

Plan in Google drive doc...

References...resources● Provided by Dr Nellie Deutsch -

http://www.aabri.com/manuscripts/121185.pdf● Dr Nellie’s power point -

https://www.wiziq.com/tutorial/843420-mm5-pair-teaching● Some interesting points in Pair teaching seen as ‘Co-Teaching as a

Team’ in http://www.parentcenterhub.org/repository/abstract81/● Definition in slide 3 comes from this link:

http://www.ctserc.org/initiatives/teachandlearn/coteach.shtml● Different types of co-Teaching are discussed in detail here:

http://www.asdk12.org/depts/hr/student_teaching/PDF/The_Power_of_2.pdf

● A great article that’s easy to read: http://www.nea.org/tools/6-steps-to-successful-co-teaching.html

Thank you We hope you enjoyed our presentation and we look forward to our next Teaching experience together.If you would like to join us and other Teachers from around the globe learning together online then join our online community at WizIQ - CELTLink: https://www.wiziq.com/course/49507-english-language-teachers-worldwide Susan Dixon, USA & Nives Torresi, Italy (Australian)