Attitudes and Language Use in Group Discussions on Socio-Scientific Issues
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Mats Gunnar Lindahl 1 * , Anne-Mari Folkesson 1
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1 Linnaeus University
* Corresponding Author

Abstract

Background:
The school systems of many countries have been pervaded by student-centred pedagogy making students’ small group discussion a common feature of the classroom practice. However, there is a lack of studies focussing different modes of discussion for the purpose of finding out whether some modes are more beneficial than others. Hence, the aim of this study is to explore the underpinnings of student small group conversations on Socio-scientific Issues in order to develop an understanding of the key aspects of what interrupts or revitalizes the conversation.

Materials and methods:
We focus on the importance of attitudes and language use for the fate of students’ decision-making conversations. Our theoretical framework builds on Dewey’s notion of Open-mindedness and Bernstein’s communication codes.

Results:
Students’ use of morals, opinions and agitational talk interrupted conversations, whereas new aspects and new perspectives revitalized the conversation.

Conclusions:
Students need guidance to avoid using justifications in conjunction with a Close-minded attitude.

Keywords

License

This is an open access article distributed under the Creative Commons Attribution License which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.

Article Type: Research Article

https://doi.org/10.12973/eurasia.2016.1214a

EURASIA J Math Sci Tech Ed, 2016 - Volume 12 Issue 2, pp. 283-301

Publication date: 01 Jul 2016

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Article Downloads: 666

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