Try-First-Tell-Later Pedagogy

This skill applies the pedagogical principle of engaging learners' thinking before presenting information, creating active learning through anticipation, prediction, and problem-solving attempts.

Core Principle

Ask students to think, predict, or attempt solutions BEFORE providing the answer or explanation.

This creates powerful learning through:

• Double contrast: Students contrast known approaches with new problems, then contrast their thinking with expert knowledge
• Active engagement: Learning happens through attempting, not just receiving
• Metacognitive awareness: Predicting and comparing reveals gaps in understanding
• Productive failure: Research shows attempting before instruction produces better learning than passive study

The Teacher's Paradox and Assessment

The Teacher's Paradox

Marton identifies a fundamental tension in teaching: