Challenging Learning Through Dialogue

Using classroom discussions to teach good habits of thinking

Classroom discussion has a major effect on student learning. In fact, dialogue is one of the best vehicles for learning how to think, make moral decisions, and understand another person's point of view. Research also indicates that most teachers talk too much in the classroom and don't wait long enough for students to respond. How do we improve the quality of classroom discussion? Challenging Learning Through Dialogue transforms the most up-to-date research into practical strategies that work. Readers will learn

How to build in more "wait-time" for better quality thinking and questioning from students
How to use dialogue to teach reasoning, collaboration, and good habits of thinking
The three types of dialogue and how to teach the most effective version: exploratory talk
Dozens of practical strategies for exploratory dialogue
Global examples of fun ways to teach dialogue
An innovative new instructional strategy called Classroom Mysteries

Written by an internationally known team of educational innovators, this book is for all educators who aim to use effective classroom dialogue to engage students in learning.

"This valuable book is a must for teachers and families who wish to have their children learn to think and communicate with greater precision and clarity."

Arthur L. Costa, Ed. D., Professor Emeritus

California State University Sacramento and Co-Director, International Institute for Habits of Mind

"James Nottingham's work on Challenging Learning is a critical element of creating Visible Learners. This new series will help teachers hone the necessary pedagogical skills of dialogue, feedback, questioning, and mindset."

John Hattie, Professor & Director, Melbourne Education Research Institute

University of Melbourne