20 Years of Interteaching Research and Practice: A Tutorial for Its Use in the Classroom

Introduction

Interteaching is a student-centered, evidence-based teaching (EBT) strategy that has gained significant research support over the past 20 years. Developed by Boyce and Hineline (2002), interteaching moves away from traditional lecture-based learning and instead promotes active student engagement, increased knowledge retention, and improved critical thinking.

A recent tutorial by Rosales, Gayman, Jimenez, and Soldner (2024) provides a structured approach to implementing interteaching in the classroom. This blog post highlights the key components of interteaching and offers practical tips for educators seeking to improve student learning.

What is Interteaching?

Interteaching is based on behavioral learning principles that emphasize the role of student engagement in knowledge acquisition. Unlike traditional lectures, interteaching involves:

• Pre-class preparation, where students review material before class.
• Peer discussions, where students reinforce learning by discussing key concepts.
• Instructor-guided clarification, tailoring teaching to student needs.

This approach has been successfully used in:

• Different disciplines, including psychology, business, and science.
• Various educational levels, from undergraduate courses to graduate programs.
• Multiple formats, such as in-person, online, and hybrid classrooms.

Core Components of Interteaching

1. The Preparation (Prep) Guide

A prep guide is a structured set of questions designed to help students engage with course materials before class. This guide:

• Encourages independent reading and comprehension before discussions.
• Promotes active learning by prompting student responses.
• Helps students identify gaps in knowledge before class sessions.

Strategies for Effective Prep Guides:

• Instructor-created vs. student-generated guides: While instructors typically provide questions, allowing students to generate some questions can increase engagement.
• Variety in question types: Using different levels from Bloom’s Taxonomy (e.g., recall, application, analysis) improves critical thinking.
• Grading format: Whether assessing for completion, accuracy, or effort can impact student motivation.

Research suggests that well-structured prep guides improve student performance, though flexibility in design may benefit different learning styles.

2. Peer Discussion

After completing the prep guide, students engage in structured discussions, typically in pairs or small groups.

Key Aspects of Peer Discussions:

• Students explain, debate, and clarify concepts, reinforcing learning.
• The instructor observes and provides guidance, ensuring accuracy.
• Engagement improves as students take an active role in their learning.

Ways to Enhance Peer Discussions:

• Different grouping methods: Random vs. assigned partners can impact engagement.
• Use of discussion rubrics: Guidelines help structure meaningful interactions.
• Asynchronous vs. synchronous options: Online discussions may benefit from structured prompts.

Studies indicate that peer discussions lead to better content retention and comprehension compared to passive learning methods.

3. Quality Points and Clarification Lectures

Following discussions, students provide feedback on areas they found difficult, helping instructors tailor their lectures to address misunderstandings.

Effective Use of Quality Points:

• Students submit topics they struggled with, improving targeted instruction.
• Instructors adjust lectures, focusing only on what students need further clarification on.
• Encourages metacognitive awareness, as students reflect on their learning process.

This component ensures that lectures are interactive, customized, and responsive to student needs rather than a one-size-fits-all delivery.

Why Use Interteaching?

Interteaching offers many advantages over traditional lectures, including:

1. Higher Student Engagement – Students actively participate rather than passively receive information.
2. Improved Retention and Understanding – Peer discussions help solidify learning.
3. Greater Student Satisfaction – Research shows students prefer interteaching over standard lectures.
4. Enhanced Critical Thinking – Students learn to analyze and evaluate concepts effectively.
5. Flexible Implementation – Works across multiple disciplines and course formats.

Challenges and Considerations

While interteaching is highly effective, it does require careful planning and execution. Challenges include:

• Student resistance to non-traditional formats. Solutions: Provide clear expectations and explain the benefits early on.
• Instructor workload in developing prep guides and facilitating discussions. Solutions: Reuse materials and gradually implement changes.
• Ensuring equal participation in peer discussions. Solutions: Use structured rubrics to evaluate discussion contributions.

Future Directions and Research

The tutorial by Rosales et al. (2024) emphasizes the need for continued research on interteaching best practices. Key areas for future exploration include:

• Examining long-term student retention in interteaching-based courses.
• Optimizing interteaching for online and hybrid learning.
• Refining grading systems to balance effort, comprehension, and participation.

Final Thoughts

Interteaching has transformed the way educators approach student engagement and learning. By utilizing prep guides, peer discussions, and tailored clarification lectures, instructors can foster a more active, meaningful learning experience.

For a comprehensive guide on implementing interteaching, read the full study by Rosales, Gayman, Jimenez, and Soldner (2024) here: https://doi.org/10.1007/s40617-024-00986-2.