ABSTRACT
Compare and Discuss is an instructional method to promote deeper learning and communicative competence. In the compare phase, students compare two examples, making sense of each and identifying their similarities and differences. In the discuss connections phase, students reflect on key points about the comparison, communicating their ideas with a partner and with the whole class. Evidence-based guidelines for effectively supporting a Compare and Discuss instructional method in the classroom are provided. A supplemental algebra curriculum that incorporates these guidelines for helping students compare and discuss multiple strategies is reviewed to illustrate implementation of the method. Finally, evidence for the effectiveness of the Compare and Discuss instructional method for promoting student maths learning is reviewed.
