You've got some interesting ideas here, @teachblogger - I agree with you - letting students help each other rather than the old 'chalk and talk' by the teacher at the front of the room is very valuable.

I find, as you touched on here, that students are far less likely to participate when the teacher is directing from the front of the room. This also means that often, when they have a question, it will go unanswered, but give them a chance to interact and question, and suddenly their education begins to take off.

I do also agree with @tornadoman - this sort of activity does seem to produce a loader classroom if not managed appropriately!!

Thanks for your post.