What is 'reciprocal teaching'?

Reciprocal teaching is fundamentally a collaborative instructional approach that emphasizes student engagement and participation in the learning process. In this method, students take turns leading discussions about texts, which fosters deeper understanding and critical thinking. The approach incorporates four primary strategies: predicting, questioning, clarifying, and summarizing. By allowing students to guide the conversation and share their insights, reciprocal teaching enhances their comprehension and encourages them to take responsibility for their own learning.

This method contrasts significantly with more traditional, teacher-centered models where the instructor typically directs the flow of information and engages students in a more passive manner. Additionally, while assessment of student performance and solitary studying are important educational practices, they do not embody the collaborative and interactive essence of reciprocal teaching.