Unit 1: The What & the Why of Inquiry Dialogue
Welcome to Unit 1!
Unit objective: Given research on the effects of collaborative inquiry discussions, the learner will summarize benefits to students and challenges in implementation.
Guiding questions for this unit:
- What are my current attitudes toward or practices during classroom discussions?
- What is an inquiry dialogue? What are some important characteristics?
- Why should we use them? What are some challenges we might face?
1. Let's begin with a preassessment of sorts to think about the first question.
Complete the reflection questions on the Google Form linked below. We will revisit these questions at the end of the course.
What are My Ideas About Discussions in Class?
2. Watch & Read
Investigate what inquiry dialogues are and some benefits and challenges involved in the process. Keep track of your observations during your investigation! In the "Do" section, one of the tasks you will be asked to complete will be to identify three each of: characteristics, benefits, challenges, and attitudes.
- Watch the video: "Better Collaborative Conversations: On Teaching With Dr. Doug Fisher"
- Watch the video: "Speaking and Listening: The Key Role of Evidence"
- Read the excerpts from the studies:
- "Toward a more dialogic pedagogy: changing teachers; beliefs and practices through professional development in language arts classrooms" Wilkinson, I. A. G., Reznitskaya, A., Bourdage, K., Oyler, J., Glina, M., Drewry, R., Kim, M. Y., & Nelson, K. (2016).
- "Comparing Student Experiences with Story Discussions in Dialogic Versus Traditional Settings" Reznitskaya, A., & Glina, M. (2013) (The entire article is linked here because of layout concerns. Focus on the Abstract, Discussion, and Conclusion sections. About four pages in total.)
- Note: The full text of the first study is linked in the "References & Resources" section if you are interested!
3. Do
- Must Do: After watching and reading, complete the "What Is Inquiry Discussion" Google Form linked below (yes, another Google Form!) in which you will identify three each of: characteristics, benefits, challenges, and attitudes.
- Recommended: Discuss your thinking with fellow learners in the Discussion section of this page by responding to the discussion questions and each other. To begin, click "New Topic", add a subject line, and then your comments. If you have no one to engage with, consider reflecting on these questions independently.
Onwards to Unit 2: Arguments: What They Are and How To Facilitate
In Unit 2, you will learn about effective arguments and ways to support students to further develop their skills.
Link to Unit 3: The Elements of a Discussion
References & Resources
McGraw Hill PreK-12. (2014, June 23). Better collaborative conversations: On teaching with Dr. Doug Fisher [Video]. YouTube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7J3Dxxew0TE
Reznitskaya, A., & Glina, M. (2013). Comparing Student Experiences with Story Discussions in Dialogic Versus Traditional Settings. The Journal of Educational Research, 106(1), 49–63. https://doi.org/10.1080/00220671.2012.658458
The Hunt Institute. (2011, August 19). Speaking and Listening: The Key Role of Evidence [Video]. YouTube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FZXwEaHrdbo