Skip to main content
Log in

Facilitating practitioner research into strategies for improving communication in classroom groups: Action research and interaction analysis — A reconciliation?

  • Published:
Research in Science Education Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

This study involved collaborative classroom-based observation of student communication and cognition in small groups after the implementation of two management strategies in science departments in several schools. The paper presents the data and provides insights into the conduct of research and teacher development in the midst of educational change.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  • Australian Science Education Project (1970).A guide to ASEP Canberra: Curriculum Development Centre.

    Google Scholar 

  • Bennett, N., & Dunne, E. (1990). Implementing cooperative groupwork in classrooms. In V. Lee, (Ed.)Children's learning in school. Open University: Hodder and Stoughton.

    Google Scholar 

  • Cooper, C. (1982). Peer learning in the classroom: tracing developmental patterns and consequence of children's spontaneous interactions. In L. Wilkinson (Ed.),Communication in the classroom. New York: Academic Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Cronbach, L. (1975). Beyond the two disciplines of scientific knowledge.American Psychologist, 30, 116–127.

    Google Scholar 

  • Cummings, C. (1985). Qualitative research in the infant classroom: a personal account. In R. Burgess (Ed.),Issues in educational research: Qualitative methods. Lewes: Falmer Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Gayford, C. (1992). Patterns of group behaviour in open-ended problem solving in science classes of 15 year old students in England.International Journal of Science Education, 14, (1), 41–49.

    Google Scholar 

  • Gibson, R. (1986).Political theory and education. London: Hodder and Stoughton.

    Google Scholar 

  • Gott, R., & Murphy, P. (1987).Assessing investigations at 13 and 15. APU science report for teachers: 9. London: Department of Education and Science.

    Google Scholar 

  • Johnson, D., & Johnson, R. (1984).Learning together and learning alone, cooperation, competition and individualisation. Englewood Cliffs NJ: Prentice Hall.

    Google Scholar 

  • Kelly, A. (1985).Action research: what is it and what can it do? In R. Burgess (Ed.),Issues in educational research: Qualitative methods. Lewes: Falmer Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Kempa, R., & Ayob, A. (1991). Learning interactions in group work in science.International Journal of Science Education, 13 (3), 341–354.

    Google Scholar 

  • McTaggart, R. (1991). Action research: Issues for the next decade,Curriculum Perspectives, 11 (4), 430.

    Google Scholar 

  • Mendenhall, W., Reinmuth, J. & Beaver, R. (1989).Statistics for management and economics. Boston: PWS Kent.

    Google Scholar 

  • Ross, J., & Raphael, D. (1990). Communication and problem solving achievement in cooperative learning groups.Journal of Curriculum Studies, 22 (2), 149–164.

    Google Scholar 

  • Sadler, J., & Fawns, R. (1992). Communication on a problem solving task in cooperative learning groups.Research in science education, 22, 417–419.

    Google Scholar 

  • Sharan, S. (1990). Cooperative learning in small groups. Recent methods and effects on achievement, attitudes and ethnic relations.Review of Educational Research, 50(2), 241–271.

    Google Scholar 

  • Slavin, R. (1990).Cooperative learning: theory, research and practice. Englewood Cliffs, N.J.: Prentice Hall.

    Google Scholar 

  • Stacey, K., & Gooding, A. (1992). Communication and learning in small group discussion. Paper presented at the Seventh International Congress of Mathematics Education, Quebec.

  • Yager, S., Johnson, D., & Johnson, R. (1985). Oral discussion, group to individual transfer and achievement in cooperative learning groups.Journal of Educational Psychology, 77(1), 60–66.

    Article  Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

Authors

Additional information

Specialization: science teacher education.

Specializations: studies in twentieth century science education in Australia, student learning in classroom groups, teachers' working knowledge.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Sadler, J., Fawns, R. Facilitating practitioner research into strategies for improving communication in classroom groups: Action research and interaction analysis — A reconciliation?. Research in Science Education 23, 243–251 (1993). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02357067

Download citation

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02357067

Keywords

Navigation