Directed Paraphrasing
In keeping with the theme of the teaching Tip entitled "Punctuated Lectures," Directed Paraphrasing is another classroom activity which helps students understand how they learn. This is a great activity for getting students to put concepts into their own words, versus simply regurgitating the information. It's also a good strategy for holding them more accountable for reading an assignment. Directed Paraphrasing involves the following:
- In writing, have students (paraphrase) explain in their own words a concept, part of a lesson, or homework assignment/reading, etc. for a specific audience or purpose. (The "paraphrase" part requires that the student to create a new way to convey a concept. The specific audience to whom the paraphrase is "directed," reveals whether the student understands the concept within a specified framework.) For example, "a nursing student might be directed to paraphrase the concept of drug clearance by the kidneys to a worried patient. An economics student might be directed to paraphrase a point of tax policy to a corporate CEO. A philosophy student might be directed to paraphrase an ethics concept so that it is readily understood by a teenager." (Cross and Angelo 233)
- Review and sort their responses into categories such as "on target," "okay," or "off target."
- At the start of the next class session, share with the students how many responses were "on target" and read a few examples.
- If only a third of your students provided "on target" responses, you might want to spend some extra time either reviewing or having them apply the concept.
Adaptations/Extensions
- Direct the students to paraphrase the same topic for two very different audiences, and then have them explain, in detail, the differences between the two paraphrases.
- Ask students to keep a journal of paraphrases as a summary of important topics in the course.
- Get an appropriate outside "expert" to comment on and assess some or all of t he paraphrases and give authentic feedback.
References
Angelo, Thomas A., and K. Patricia Cross. Classroom Assessment Techniques: A Handbook For College Teachers. 2nd ed. San Francisco: Jossey, 1993. Print.
Classroom Assessment Techniques, "CAT 4: Directed Paraphrasing (Assesses Skill in Application & Performance)." Faculty Center for Innovative Teaching, Central Michigan University. Nov. 2004. Web. 27 Nov. 2006.
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