Double Entry Journal #12

3 things I learned

1. The three general features and functions of language which “make communication so central” in schools are language transmits curriculum, communicates control, and reflects personal identity.

2. “The three-part sequence of teacher initiation, student response, teacher evaluation (IRE) is the most common pattern of classroom discourse at all grade levels.”

3. The kind of learning which lends itself to IRE patterns of instruction is limited to lower cognitive level processes which stress “recall of information” and questions aimed at producing accurate recall or simple identification “do little to promote any real thinking.”

2 things I found interesting

1. “While other institutions such as hospitals serve their clients in non-linguistic ways, the basic purpose of school is achieved through communication.”

2. “Current research confirms that teacher still mainly ask questions at the lower level of taxonomy.”

3. Teachers typically wait one second or less for students to start a reply to their question before calling on another student or supplying information related to the question themselves. Interestingly, in studies where teachers were asked to incorporate longer than typical wait times, the action led to “more active participation in lessons by a larger percentage of the students.”

1 question I have

1. Why do so many teachers use the IRE method of teaching when it does not encourage students to volunteer new ideas, to connect relative experiences, to express critical viewpoints, or to take any risks which might lead to a better understanding of the topic being taught?

How can asking essential questions improve learning in schools?

When incorporating essential questions, students need to think critically and not just look for the facts. Essential questions will help improve schools and curriculum because they point out central topics and focus in the direction of understanding. In order for understanding, these questions need to be “explored, questioned, taken apart and put back together, used, reorganized, and confirmed.” Essential questions are challenging; implementing a challenge will only help schools improve.