What is the primary function of reciprocal teaching?

Reciprocal teaching is a collaborative learning strategy primarily aimed at enhancing students' reading comprehension and engagement with the text. The essence of this approach is to shift the role of the teacher to that of a facilitator, enabling students to take on the responsibility of teaching their peers. By doing so, students practice essential skills such as summarizing, questioning, clarifying, and predicting, which are crucial for understanding complex materials.

When students become the teacher, they not only reinforce their own learning but also help their peers develop a deeper comprehension of the content. This method encourages dialogue among students, fosters a sense of ownership over their learning, and builds critical thinking skills, as they need to analyze and articulate their understanding to others.

In contrast, the other options do not encompass the core principle of reciprocal teaching. While observing peers and assessing understanding can be part of the educational process, they do not capture the transformative aspect of students actively engaging in teaching. Competitive learning environments may promote certain skills, but reciprocal teaching emphasizes collaboration and shared learning experiences over competition.