Talking about history: discussions in a middle school inclusive classroom.

Full Abstract

In this study, we examined the nature of whole-class discussion and teachers' instruction during discussion about historical topics in one inclusive, middle-grade classroom. We videotaped and analyzed 4 lessons to determine the nature of discussion sequences, rates of participation, and instructional challenges encountered by the teacher and students. We triangulated our analysis of observational data with teacher interviews. The results showed high rates of student participation, with no differences between students with and without disabilities. The teacher initiated and controlled the discussion, and nearly all student responses were from teacher to student rather than from student to student. The teacher encountered three challenges in developing students' understanding, and we identify specific practices she used to address these challenges. Based on students' response to measures administered by project staff and on their scores on statewide tests, this teacher's practices seemed to be highly effective.

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Author information

Author/s: Okolo, Cynthia M (CM); Ferretti, Ralph P (RP); MacArthur, Charles A (CA);

Affiliation: Department of Counseling, Educational Psychology, and Special Education, College of Education, Michigan State University, East Lansing 48824, USA.

Journal and publication information

Publication Type: Journal Article; Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't; Research Support, U.S. Gov't, Non-P.H.S.

Journal: Journal of learning disabilities (J Learn Disabil), published in United States. (Language: eng)

Reference: -2007 Mar-Apr; vol 40 (issue 2) : pp 154-65

Dates: Created 2007/03/26; Completed 2007/05/01;

PMID: 17380990, status: MEDLINE (last retrieval date: 12/26/2008)

Sourced from the National Library of Medicine. Abstract text and other information may be subject to copyright.

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MeSH headings (categories)

This article was linked to the MESH Headings shown below.

Child
Communication
Female
History
Humans

Humans
Mainstreaming (Education)
Male
Schools
Teaching - methods

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