What is the main goal of reciprocal teaching in educational settings?

Reciprocal teaching aims to foster collaboration and comprehension among students as they engage in a structured dialogue about reading material. This instructional approach encourages students to take on different roles within a group, which promotes active engagement with the text. Through strategies like questioning, summarizing, clarifying, and predicting, students learn to support one another in understanding complex concepts and developing critical thinking skills.

This collaborative learning environment helps students articulate their thoughts, consider different perspectives, and deepen their comprehension collectively. The focus is on teaching students how to become more effective readers and thinkers, rather than competing against one another or merely preparing for tests. While enhancing group dynamics might be a byproduct of this process, it is not the primary goal; instead, the emphasis is firmly placed on building comprehension through collaboration.