Select and use only one of these topics or discussion questions during one Brief Hybrid Workshop in one Think-Pair-Share activity.  Consider using another one of these questions or a similar one that you develop in a subsequent BHW.  You could also invite participants to recommend such topics or questions in advance of the BHW.

GENERIC EXAMPLES:

• Terminology?
  At this institution, do the terms or labels we use in conversations about this issue make much difference?  Are some terms likely to incite strong reactions from some stakeholders?  Can we eliminate or reduce the likelihood of unnecessary hostile arguments by clarifying and agreeing on how we will use certain terms in advance?

• Who?
  Identify individuals who will be especially important at your own institution to include in discussions or decisions about this particular issue/topic.

• Case Studies or Model Programs?
  Describe some characteristics of a successful program that improves...

• What else?

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Think (1-2 Mins)         Discuss (2-4 Mins
Report (2-4 Mins)   
Time Permitting or Not?

Additional Resources

Adjust the recommended timing as appropriate to your situation.  The following are instructions that leader/facilitators might say to a group when explaining and/or leading/facilitating this activity:

Think (1-2 Mins)

Think about these questions.
Jot some notes if you wish.  They will not be collected.

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Discuss (2-4 Mins)

Discuss your thoughts with one or two people sitting near you.  Were there some interesting similarities among your individual thoughts?  Any interesting differences?  Identify someone in your group willing to report a few of your conclusions.  30 seconds before ending this discussion, remind groups to agree on what that person should report.

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Report (2-4 Mins)

Report one or two of your findings.  If someone from another group announces one of your findings, don't report that one.

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If Time Permits (or Does Not)

If time is limited and there are too many groups for this process, use some other device (e.g., ask each group to write one proposed additional blunder on a large post-it sheet and place that on a wall designated for this purpose. 

If possible, allow time for everyone to be able to walk by the posted results and read what others have written - even if it is only as they depart the session! 

Again, if time permits, ask for a few people to offer reactions to what they have just read.

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Additional Resources
About Think-Pair-Share and related Interactivities

Additional history, discussion, recommendations about "Think-Pair-Share" - available via this link as of January 23, 2008 from the "Collaborative Learning" section of Website of the National Institute for Science Education, University of Wisconsin-Madison (Last Updated: May 05, 2003)

Also see:  "Managing—and Motivating!—Distance Learning Group Activities" by Barbara Millis for more general info about similar classroom activities that can easily and effectively be adapted for online, hybrid environments and used with a variety of "audiences" or learners.

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