Focussing on teacher-students interactions in the science classroom: the concept of communicative approach

Prof. Phil Scott (Centre for Studies in Science and Mathematics Education (CSSME), University of Leeds, UK)

Abstract by prof. Scott:

"Fundamental to the science teacher’s art are the different ways in which they talk with students in the classroom: at times presenting information in an authoritative way at other times promoting more open discussion. In this session I shall first introduce the concept of ‘communicative approach’ as a theoretical tool, following from the work of Vygotsky and Bakhtin, for identifying and planning different kinds of teacher-pupil classroom interactions. Time will then be given to analysing some short transcripts of classroom interactions using the concept of communicative approach and seeing how it can be included in planning science teaching."