• To encourage a student that is stuck in one line of thinking to consider others
If a student has struggled for some time with a particular approach, teachers are often tempted to suggest a specific approach. This can lead to subsequent imitative behavior by students. Alternatively the teacher may ask the student to consider other students’ attempts to solve the problem. This offers fresh insight and help without being directive.
“For students who have had trouble coming up with a solution, having the sample student work has helped them think of a way to organize or get started with the task. Since these students are having trouble getting a solution, they usually look over the various sample student work and pick one with which they feel most comfortable. Having Kittens was one task where students benefitted by seeing how other students organized their thinking”.
(Observer comment from questionnaire)