The 'Right is Right' strategy is a powerful teaching technique focused on ensuring students provide answers that are truly and completely correct, setting a high standard for academic precision and thoroughness. It pushes students beyond partially correct or "almost right" responses to articulate full, accurate, and well-supported answers.
The Core Principle of 'Right is Right'
At its heart, the 'Right is Right' strategy emphasizes that educators should set and defend a high standard of correctness by only naming "right" those answers which are truly and completely right. This means not settling for answers that are merely close, incomplete, or contain minor inaccuracies. Instead, teachers guide students to refine their responses until they meet a clear standard of exactness.
This approach challenges the common inclination to accept partial answers, which can inadvertently reinforce superficial understanding. By insisting on full correctness, students learn the value of precision, develop deeper comprehension, and are better prepared for challenges that require meticulous attention to detail.
Why Precision Matters: Benefits of 'Right is Right'
Implementing the 'Right is Right' strategy offers significant advantages for student learning and academic development:
Fostering Deep Understanding
When students are consistently asked to provide complete and accurate answers, they are compelled to engage with the material on a deeper level. This prevents rote memorization and encourages a thorough grasp of concepts, moving beyond surface-level knowledge.
Building Academic Rigor
The strategy elevates the standard of academic work in the classroom. By consistently holding students to a high bar, it cultivates an environment where excellence and exactness are expected and valued. This prepares students for higher education and professional settings where precision is critical.
Promoting Clarity and Accuracy
'Right is Right' teaches students to be articulate and precise in their communication. They learn to use correct terminology, structure their thoughts logically, and present information without ambiguity, thereby enhancing their overall communication skills.
Four Ways to Use the 'Right is Right' Technique
The 'Right is Right' technique is versatile and can be applied in various scenarios where a student's answer is "almost right" but not entirely complete or precise. There are four common ways this strategy helps teachers guide students to full correctness:
| Type of "Almost Right" | Description | Teacher's Application of 'Right is Right' |
|---|---|---|
| 1. Right Answer, Wrong Time | The student provides a correct answer but at an inappropriate moment, interrupting, or without following established classroom procedures. | The teacher acknowledges the correctness of the answer but reinforces the importance of timing and procedure, guiding the student to respect classroom norms before fully accepting the response. |
| 2. Right Process, Wrong Answer | The student correctly applies the method or steps to solve a problem, but makes a computational error, a minor factual mistake, or an oversight that leads to an incorrect final answer. | The teacher validates the correct process the student used, then prompts them to review their work for errors, helping them pinpoint and correct the specific mistake to arrive at the fully correct solution. |
| 3. Right Steps, Wrong Order | The student knows all the necessary components or steps for a complete answer but presents them out of a logical or chronological sequence, making the explanation unclear or inefficient. | The teacher guides the student to reorder their thoughts or steps into a coherent and logical sequence, emphasizing the importance of structured thinking and clear communication. |
| 4. Sloppy Mistakes | The student's core idea is correct, but the presentation is flawed by minor errors in grammar, spelling, pronunciation, incomplete sentences, or poor articulation that detract from the answer's clarity or impact. | The teacher prompts the student to refine their language, complete their sentences, or correct minor errors, ensuring that the fully correct idea is communicated with precision and professionalism. |
Implementing 'Right is Right' in Practice
For educators, effectively using 'Right is Right' involves deliberate actions:
- Be Explicit: Clearly communicate what constitutes a "right" answer. Share rubrics, examples, and non-examples of correct responses.
- Provide Targeted Feedback: Instead of simply saying "not quite," pinpoint exactly what is missing or incorrect. "You've identified the key elements, but you haven't explained how they interact."
- Use Follow-Up Questions: Employ questions like "Can you elaborate?" "What specific evidence supports that?" or "How does that connect to...?" to guide students to deeper, more complete answers.
- Model Precision: Teachers should consistently use academic language and model complete, precise thinking in their own explanations and questions.
For students, this strategy builds resilience and a growth mindset. They learn that making mistakes is part of the learning process, but the goal is always to refine and improve until the answer is truly right. This iterative process strengthens their analytical skills and attention to detail.
For additional strategies and insights on teaching techniques, explore resources such as Teach Like a Champion.
