How can student talk contribute to critical thinking and reasoning skills in science and citizenship?
Learning and Instruction 18 (2008) pp. 66-82 [Original title: Effects of dialogic learning on value-loaded critical thinking] Education should enable students to participate in a democratic society in a responsible and adequate way. The important question is how to achieve the social task of education in a curriculum separated into school subjects and aimed at specific subject-oriented learning goals. This Dutch study explored the impact of learning about citizenship through dialogue (dialogic approach) focused on critical thinking in science. It involved 297 students from 14 low ability Year 7 classes. The study excluded students with learning and behavioural difficulties. In half the classes, the students worked dialogically, communicating and cooperating with others, while in other classes students worked individually. The students from dialogic classes developed more skills in arguing in a logical and substantial way, discussing topics collaboratively and formulating their own opin
