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Some resources related to Thinking Together
Please also see Publications and Projects.
Research and Practice: working with teachers on classroom talk
Neil Mercer
University of Cambridge
Neil says: 'I have worked with teachers on research on talk and learning in classrooms since the 1970s, and have used a range of methods to do so. In this lecture, I focus on two of the projects I have been involved in, discussing not only what they revealed about the nature and educational functions of spoken interaction, but also the practical implications of the results obtained. I have chosen those two particular projects because they were very different in design and scale, with one being a relatively small scale intervention study on group work and the second being a very large scale observational study of classroom teaching. Beyond the findings, and for those of you interested in the research process, I consider some of the advantages and disadvantages of doing each kind of classroom-based research.
Shared slides and presentation materials from Neil Mercer and Lyn Dawes:
Neil Mercer
- The Power of Talk
- Making the most of educational dialogue
- Talk may be cheap but groupwork is priceless
- Slide share: Classroom talk and effective education.
- Conference presentation: Thinking Together.
Neil Mercer & Lyn Dawes
Cambridge University Primary School – Examples of oracy lessons
Oracy Cambridge provides ideas and resources for oracy across the curriculum.
Encouraging Thinking Together
Voice 21 aims to 'transform teaching and learning through talk'.
School 21 focuses on the development of oracy and dialogue skills as central to learning. ‘We believe that the curriculum needs to provide all students with the opportunities to acquire expertise in the basics and subject disciplines as well as developing their character, skills, critical thinking and leadership.We want children to develop their thinking skills, explore the world around them and acquire a thirst for learning.’
Reflective Teaching: The development and maintenance of professional expertise, emphasising the role of a dialogic pedagogy.
The Communications Trust: encourages the development of effective communication.
Learning and Teaching: comprehensive information on theory and practice
Literacy Trust: support the improvement of literacy skills.
Bodmin College focuses on oracy in the development of rounded individuals. 'Students are encouraged to enjoy their education, to develop respect for others and, through assuming responsibility, to develop as reliable and mature individuals ready to take an active role in adult life.’
Quiet Child: provides ways to help the 1 in 5 with ‘communication apprehension’.
Authors: has authors talking about their books and provides resources about children’s fiction.