The purpose of this case study was to find out how a science teacher employs questions and follow up moves in classroom discourse to facilitate students’ thinking and help them construct scientific knowledge. The study was conducted in a large class setting where the medium of instruction was English although the students were non-native speakers of the language. The teacher participant teaches Year 10 chemistry classes in a Singapore Secondary school. Several lessons covering two topics were observed from one of his classes. / Six lesson episodes that involve a series of teacher-students IRF exchanges were selected from the verbal transcripts of classroom discourse for discussion. These episodes were analyzed interpretively using an analytical framework adapted from Chin’s study. Particular attention was paid to two key aspects of the discourse which facilitated students’ thinking about the scientific concepts, as manifested by students’ verbal responses. These include the initial teacher question and teacher follow up moves in response to the students’ answers. / The findings propose that the use of higher order thinking question (initial question) together with supportive follow up moves facilitate students’ thinking about the scientific concepts at complex cognitive processes such as inferring, comparing, predicting, analyzing and evaluating. Supportive follow up moves involve applying follow up questions that require students to perform various functions such as clarify, elaborate or justify their answers. In addition, the use of these follow up moves can assist the teacher to shift discourse practices towards a class-based discussion. The thesis concludes by suggesting practical advice for science teachers regarding teacher questioning in classroom discourse to facilitate students’ thinking, and providing several recommendations for future research.
| Identifer | oai:union.ndltd.org:ADTP/244995 |
| Date | January 2009 |
| Creators | Ong, K. K. A. |
| Source Sets | Australiasian Digital Theses Program |
| Language | English |
| Detected Language | English |
| Rights | Restricted Access: Abstract and Citation Only Available |
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