What?

Thinking aloud is an instructional technique where the teacher verbally expresses their thought processes while solving a problem, making a decision, or engaging in a cognitively demanding task, in order to model their thinking.

How?

Step 1. Select an appropriate task that is relevant to the instructional objective and level of your students. It could be a reading passage, a maths problem, a scientific inquiry, or any other cognitive task aligned with the lesson.

Step 2. Verbalise your thought process aloud, explaining the steps you are taking, the strategies you are using, and the decisions you are making. Be explicit and clear in your explanations, using language that is appropriate for the age and level of your students.

Step 3. Pause at key points during the task to allow for reflection and interaction with students. Ask questions to prompt students' thinking, encourage them to share their own thoughts or strategies, and facilitate discussions to deepen their understanding.

Why?

Benefits of thinking aloud:

• promotes meta-cognitive thinking skills

• improves problem-solving

• fosters critical thinking

• increases engagement

• supports language skills

Theory Score:

Behaviourism ★

Cognitivism ★★★★★

Constructivism ★★

Social-Constructivism ★★

Connectivism ★