Frank Hardman

Interactive whole class teaching in the National Literacy and Numercy Strategies

The study set out to investigate the impact of the official endorsement of ‘interactive whole class teaching’ on the interaction and discourse styles of primary teachers while teaching the National Literacy and Numeracy Strategies. In both strategies, interactive whole class teaching is seen as an ‘active teaching’ model promoting high quality dialogue and discussion between teachers and pupils. Pupils are expected to play an active part in discussion by asking questions, contributing ideas and explaining and demonstrating their thinking to the class. Using computerized systematic classroom observation, discourse analysis of transcripts and a questionnaire, the project looked specifically at the discourse strategies currently used by a national sample of primary teachers when teaching the literacy and numeracy strategies and their perceptions of current practices. The findings suggest that traditional patterns of whole class interaction have not been dramatically transformed by the strategies. The implica...

The discourse of classroom interaction in Kenyan primary schools

This paper addresses the role of classroom discourse in supporting children’s learning in Kenyan primary schools. The discourse strategies of 27 teachers teaching English, mathematics and science across the primary phase were intensively studied using discourse analysis and semi‐structured interviews. A survey questionnaire (n = 359) was also used to explore teacher perceptions of classroom discourse practices. The findings revealed the dominance of teacher‐led recitation in which rote and repetition dominated the classroom discourse with little attention being paid to securing pupil understanding. The wider implications of the findings for improving the quality of classroom discourse in Kenyan primary schools are considered together with the need for further research into how the wider social order is influencing discourse practices in Kenyan primary schools.

Classroom Interaction in Kenyan Primary Schools

This article reports on a study of classroom interaction in Kenyan primary schools carried out as part of a national baseline study for the Ministry of Education and Human Resource Development in 1998. The baseline was designed to provide a comprehensive picture of the quality of primary education so as to allow the Kenyan Government to prioritise expenditure on resources to improve education in the republic and to assess the impact of any interventions. Video recordings of 102 lessons in English, mathematics and science were analysed using systematic observation, discourse analysis and a time-line analysis. The findings revealed the domination of transmissional forms of teaching, thereby providing little opportunity for pupils to question or explore ideas to help regulate their own thinking. The wider implications of the findings for improving the quality of classroom interaction in Kenyan primary schools are considered together with the training needs of teachers.

Changing pedagogical practice in Kenyan primary schools: the impact of school‐based training

This study reports on an investigation into the impact of a national, school‐based teacher development programme on learning and teaching in Kenyan primary schools. Building on a national baseline study (n=102), 144 video‐recorded lessons, covering the teaching of English, maths and science at Standards 3 and 6, were analysed to investigate whole‐class teaching and group‐based learning. Interviews were also conducted with school management committees, head teachers, teachers and pupils to elicit their views on the impact of the school‐based training programme on learning and teaching. The study found that compared to the earlier baseline, teachers were more interactive with the pupils in their whole‐class teaching and greater use was being made of group work. Lesson plans, teaching resources and flexible classroom layouts were also much more in evidence. However, the greatest impact on classroom practice was seen in the classrooms of those teachers who had undergone the most systematic in‐service training. The wider implications of the findings for improving the quality of classroom learning in Kenyan primary classrooms are considered.

The Discourse of Whole Class Teaching: A Comparative Study of Kenyan and Nigerian Primary English Lessons

This paper explores the discourse of whole class teaching in Kenyan and Nigerian primary school English lessons. Twenty lessons were analysed using a system of discourse analysis focusing on the teacher-led three-part exchange sequence of Initiation – Response – Feedback (IRF). The focus of the analysis was on the first and third part of the IRF sequence as it is here that research suggests teachers can enhance pupil learning through questions and follow-up which asks pupils to expand on their thinking, justify or clarify their opinions, or make connections to their own experiences. The findings suggest that teacher questions were mainly closed requiring recall of information and teacher follow-up, where it occurred, often consisting of a low level evaluation of a pupil response, thereby severely constraining opportunities for pupil participation in the classroom discourse and higher order thinking. The implications of the findings are considered in the light of their impact on classroom pedagogy and the professional development of Kenyan and Nigerian primary teachers.

Developing a systemic approach to teacher education in sub-Saharan Africa: emerging lessons from Kenya, Tanzania and Uganda

While many countries in Eastern and Southern Africa are on track for meeting the Education for All targets, there is a growing recognition of the need to improve the quality of basic education and that a focus on pedagogy and its training implications needs to be at the heart of this commitment. By drawing on three East African countries, Kenya, Tanzania and Uganda, which are at different stages of development with regard to the reforming of teacher education, this paper explores the challenges and the lessons learned from each of the countries with regard to the development and strengthening of pre- and in-service training. The tension between quality, breadth and cost-effectiveness is explored together with a broader discussion of key principles to be taken into account when enhancing teacher education in the region as a whole.

Time for refilling the bath?: A study of primary student‐teachers’ grammatical knowledge

Abstract The introduction of the National Curriculum for English in England and Wales has placed an increased demand on primary teachers to promote a greater knowledge about language including the teaching of grammar. Critics of the English curriculum believe, however, that too little attention has been paid to the teaching of grammar and proposals for a revised curriculum which place more emphasis on the teaching of grammatical structure and terminology have been put forward. This study investigates the current levels of some aspects of grammatical knowledge amongst 99 trainee primary school teachers. Results indicate a higher level of grammatical knowledge than some critics might have us suppose. There are, however, significant gaps which could affect the student‐teachers’ ability to teach about language and grammar, and to analyse and help develop pupils’ use of language, which suggest the need for a systematic course of study during initial teacher training and beyond.

Gender inequality in the primary classroom: will interactive whiteboards help?

This paper sets out to investigate (i) gender differences in whole class classroom interaction with a sample of teachers who were not using interactive whiteboards (IWBs) in their lessons; and (ii) the short‐term and longer term impact of IWB use upon gender differences in classroom interaction. The study focused upon teacher–student interaction at Key Stage 2 in the teaching of literacy and numeracy in English primary schools. As part of the National Literacy and Numeracy Strategies, IWBs have been made widely available as a pedagogic tool for promoting interactive whole class teaching. In order to investigate their impact, the project looked specifically at the interactive styles used by a national sample of primary teachers. Using a computerized observation schedule, 144 lessons were observed over a two‐year period. The findings concur with other research which has found that boys dominate classroom interaction in terms of the frequency of certain discourse moves. The average length of each move did not vary significantly between boys and girls. Frequency dominance was disproportionately stronger in classes with a high percentage of boys in class, and was also stronger in lessons where whiteboards were used. Understanding how interaction varies in the classroom, and how new technology might affect this interaction, has important implications for teachers, researchers and future research priorities.

The Role of Basic Education in Post-Conflict Recovery.

The last decade has seen a growing recognition amongst international donors, development agencies, non-government organisations and academics of the vital role education can play in bringing about recovery following violent conflict, natural disaster and other crises. This has led to the development of increasingly targeted and sophisticated programme planning and management tools, for use by government ministries, UN agencies and non-governmental organisations in fragile contexts. Drawing on the 2010 independent study of UNICEFs Education in Emergencies and Post-Conflict Transition Programme, this paper explores the transformative role education can play in post-conflict recovery. It argues that while basic education assistance can have a catalytic role in helping states during the early stages of a transition out of violent conflict, there is the need for a better understanding of its role in building peace at the national, sub-national and community levels. The paper also argues for the development of a solid evidence base to inform policy and practice at all national, regional and community levels so as to demonstrate conclusively the important role played by education during and in the aftermath of conflict.

Using Computerised Observation as a Tool for Capturing Classroom Interaction

Over the past few years, the authors have developed a computerised system that records interaction between teachers and pupils in the primary classroom. Our Classroom Interaction System (CIS) is able to log the frequency and duration of several different types of discourse. The CIS represents a move away from the paper and pencil techniques, and labour-intensive video transcription traditionally used in this field. The system is mobile, easy to internalise, adaptable, and allows the researcher to capture interaction between teachers and pupils real-time. This paper will outline these advantages. Along with these benefits, however, there are complexities and dilemmas. This paper will discuss a number of methodological issues that represent real obstacles in the quest for a valid and reliable tool for quantifying interaction in the classroom. We will also discuss the potential for this system in a wider range of educational contexts.