Predict-Observe-Explain involves students making a prediction about what the answer to something will be, observing the resource that provides the answer (such as a video, reading, or experiment), then revisiting their prediction and explaining any differences between what they expected the answer to be and what it actually was.
Instructions
- Pose a question to your students (e.g., “what do you think will happen when chemical X is added to chemical Y?”) and get them to note down what they think the answer will be and why.
- Reveal the resource and answer.
- Give students time to look back at their prediction and note down any differences between their prediction and the answer.
Resources
- A resource for students to observe that contains the answer to the posed question.
Variations
- Make it an individual or small group activity: Students could work by themselves, or in a pair or small group.
- Combine it with peer instruction: Students could make an initial individual prediction, then pair up with another student and discuss it, having the chance to change their prediction if they hear something that changes their mind.
References
Lang. (2021). Small Teaching: Everyday Lessons from the Science of Learning. (2nd ed.). John Wiley & Sons, Incorporated.