Final answer:
The professor likely repeats portions of students' responses to clarify what each student is saying, facilitate understanding and avoid miscommunication in the classroom.
Step-by-step explanation:
The professor most likely repeats portions of students' responses to clarify what each student is saying and ensure understanding among the whole class. By saying, "So, what you're saying is . . ." she's interpreting the student's idea in a way that she hopes the entire class can grasp. It helps in avoiding miscommunication and ensures that the point made by the student has been accurately communicated. This technique is often used to promote clearer communication, especially in a classroom environment where varied levels of understanding are present and the objective is to ensure everyone is on the same page.
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