Dyad Pedagogy 101

Dyad Pedagogy 101

DEFINITION: Dyad Pedagogy is a practical, goal-directed, learning method carried out by two individuals in their systematic pursuit of knowledge and skills, to solve a problem.

HERE IS HOW IT WORKS
1. Students are randomly assigned into dyads and always work together on inquiry-type problems.

2. The problem to be solved (the activity) is either theme-based OR a project designed by the teacher [Related to Standards]. It is critical that the problem be devised in a way that allows the dyads to seek its solution by working together.

3. The key to this methodology is the FEEDBACK CYCLE. The feedback cycle is pulsed by Working Periods (WP) and Reporting Periods (RP).
The Working Period (WP) – is the time alloted for dyads to work on the problem using materials, the internet, and each other.
The duration of the Working Period (WP) is defined by the teacher’s judgment and other time constraints. The WP is balanced with the Reporting Period.
The Reporting Period (RP) is the time when each dyad presents its work to the group: what they did, what they found out, the problems they ran into. During the RP, the teacher helps to connect the dots between the key conceptual and factual gaps in the student report. During this part of the FEEDBACK CYCLE the teacher has the opportunity to use the other dyads to comment, add, or differ with the student’s understanding – by means of leading to (rather than giving) the answers. The RP then returns to the next WP for dyads to use that feedback to drive the continuing involvement towards a solution.
Try to make time for at least two WP–RP cycles in a learning session.
4. Periodic Clarifying Presentations (PCPs) are used by the instructor to connect the main developments in the overall pursuit of learning goals and objectives. Set a maximum of 5 minutes for these ‘mini-moments.’
5. Each member of a dyad is given the same grade based on a metric devised by the teacher/s or administrator.


© LRS 4/26/09