Digital Read-Pair-Share

Abstract

Reading and discussing complex texts is a recurring challenge in higher education, particularly in seminar-style courses. While the Think-Pair-Share method provides a structured approach to collaborative learning, its application to text-based activities is often hindered by media discontinuities and limited support for reflection.

Digital Read-Pair-Share (dRPS) is a fully digital implementation of Think-Pair-Share that integrates guided reading, annotation, question answering, peer discussion, and visual reading analytics in a single web-based system. We deployed dRPS in a visualization course to support students in reading a chapter from Munzner’s Visualization Analysis and Design. The initial evaluation shows solid reading comprehension, positive student perceptions, and distinctive reading and answering strategies that were effectively reflected upon using the analytics interface. dRPS addresses key limitations of traditional Think-Pair-Share and has the potential to enhance reading engagement and learning outcomes across disciplines.

Publication

I. Lopez Garcia, P. Riehmann, K. Girgensohn, J. Voigt, and B. D. Froehlich. Digital Read-Pair-Share: A Didactic Application for Collaborative Reading and Visual Reading Analytics EuroVis 2026 - Education Papers, The Eurographics Association. DOI, Publication, Print, Video

Demo

I. Lopez Garcia, P. Riehmann, and B. D. Froehlich. Digital Read-Pair-Share: A Web-based System for the Instruction and Support of Collaborative Reading Accepted for presentation as a Tool or Educational Technology Demonstration at the EARLI SIG 6 and 7 Conference 2026.