Hi Julie: Great technique and variation of the pretest concept! I think when students hear the word "test", they automatically set up preconceptions, stress and anxiety, and maybe even fear. When they know a non-graded, open ended, no answer wrong activity is planned, that should eliminate most of the tension, other than the requirement to have to think, be tolerant of others viewpoints, and derive their own positions and viewpoints. An observant instructor should be able to pick up on themes, perceptions, and trends in though processes in order to use that information to increase the students participative and interactive learning experience. Regards, Barry