Conversation As a Model of Instructional Interaction - Eric

layout-8/l-2003 1/7/04 12:29 PM Page 36Literacy Teaching and LearningVolume 8, Number 1collaboratively constructing meaning” (p. 31). The child in Transcript 1 clearlyappears to take this more active stance to learning. He seems to see conversationas a means of sharing and clarifying ideas and views himself as a contributorto the conversation. In this model of learning, the teacher has to have amore informed theory of how human cognition develops within social contexts.This study creates the need for further research regarding the effects of aconversational model of instruction on student learning. Within the specificcontext of this study, additional research is needed to explore the affect of conversationon the co-construction of meaning needed for the successful readingof a new book. This will be done in a follow-up study to be completed in thenear future.This study also raises new questions. What can be considered genuine conversation?Is the type of conversation in instructional settings genuine conversationor is it some form of simulated conversation? Since the conversation thatoccurs within instructional settings has an instructional purpose or goal interms of what is to be learned by the student, does that make it less genuineand more simulated? Perhaps this type of conversation could be consideredguided conversation, where there are elements of informal everyday conversation,but there is also an element of guidance by the teacher who is attempting tolead the student to new understandings. This view would contribute to thehighly complex nature of the interaction and the discourse use within thiscontext.There are obvious limitations to this study due to the small number ofteachers and students involved and the limited number of transcript samples. Itmay provide a starting point, though, for future studies with more teachers andstudents. Since this study focused on a small part of the Reading Recovery lesson,future studies could look at other aspects of the lesson in terms of conversationalinteraction. Classroom studies of conversational interaction would alsocontribute to further understandings regarding impact on student learning andthe need for quality professional development for teachers.CONCLUSIONThe complexity of instructional conversation that allows for constructive knowerscreates a demand for expertly trained teachers. These types of conversationsare absolutely necessary for the development of thoughtful literacy, especiallyfor students at risk. Yet these conversations do not develop easily with studentswho have taken a passive stance to learning. Clay (1991) considers such childrenwhen she statesThe reading process will be learned haltingly, until he (the unresponsivechild) is confident enough to respond in the troublesome area.Coaxing that is not carping, support that is not demanding, confidence36