Glossary / Lexicon

Initiation-reply-evaluation sequence (IRE) refers to a form of discourse used in classrooms in which the teacher asks a student a question, the student answers, and the teacher evaluates the answer.

The initiation-reply-evaluation sequence is a communication pattern often observed in educational settings where teachers ask students a question or initiate a discussion, the student provides a response, and the teacher evaluates or responds to the student's answer.

For example, a teacher may ask a student, "What is the main idea of this passage?" (initiation), the student may reply with an answer (reply), and the teacher may evaluate the answer by saying, "That's a good point, but can you explain it a bit more?" (evaluation).

The IRE sequence is a fundamental component of classroom discourse and has been found to play an important role in shaping student learning and participation in the classroom. Some studies have suggested that a high frequency of IRE sequences may lead to a more teacher-centered classroom environment, while a lower frequency of IRE sequences may promote more student-centered learning.

Other examples of the IRE sequence can include a therapist asking a client a question about their thoughts or feelings, a coach asking an athlete about their performance, or a parent asking their child about their day at school.