In Talking in Class: Using Discussion to Enhance Teaching and Learning, Professor Larry Johannessen offers a quiz based on research (Nystrand, et al., 1997). Take the following quiz to see if your answers are correct (answers offered at the bottom / Don’t Look!!!).
1// How much discussion takes place on average in 8th grade classrooms per class period?
2// How much small-group work (discussion) takes place on average in 8th grade classrooms per class period?
3// How much discussion takes place on average in 9th grade classrooms per class period?
4// How much small-group work (discussion) takes place on average in 9th grade classrooms per class period?
How did your answers match up with the research by Nystrand and presented by Johannessen? Are the answers disturbing? Since the research method by Nystrand there has been a slight increase in the amount of discourse in classrooms, but not nearly enough. A few teachers that I know and have observed point to the fact that they have added more discussion, deliberation, or debate to their curricula. But, the research further indicates that there is a large difference between teaching BY discussion, and teaching FOR discussion.