By providing opportunities for students to share ideas with each other, teachers create space for them to develop social skills, retain more content, and deepen understanding of the material.

While much energy has traditionally been devoted to keeping a quiet and orderly classroom, research shows that making the most of students’ drive to be social can actually have positive results. Turning students loose for a discussion can feel overwhelming, particularly with a large or lively class, so bringing some structure to group conversations can help everyone stay focused. And while productive talk may take time and practice, encouraging students to articulate their ideas can build self-confidence, and improve both academic achievement and collaboration skills.