Talk and Learning

This book is based on the premise that lack ofattention is paid to speaking and listening in theclassroom and that little opportunity exists for peercollaboration. It outlines a research project thatfocuses on the attitudes of teachers and children tospeaking listening and collaborative work. It alsoconsiders opportunities for working with peers andtalk between children. The quality of children'sinteractions are analysed to investigate whetherpaired and group work support learning. It islocated firmly in the qualitative tradition and datacollection took place by means of semi-structuredquestionnaires and interviews; observation andrecording of children's talk; along with discourseanalysis of children's transcribed dialogues. The book provides valuable background information andcase studies for classroom teachers and also forstudents in Initial Teacher Education. There isuseful material for Initial Teacher Educators but isof wider interest to staff and students from bothChildhood and Education Studies courses. The findingsare equally relevant to anyone who is interested inchildren's communication skills and how collaborativework can support learning.