In this wide ranging discussion Neil and I talk about the role of language in evolution, parallels between language and evolution, prejudices against group work, typologies of talk, groupthink, the conceptual space of a conversation and many more fascinating topics. The first half is primarily focused on theory which builds a solid foundation for a focus on classroom practice, and me sharing a vignette of trying out the thinking together resources, in the second half of the interview. I hope that this discussion inspires you to further explore how to scaffold student talk and interthinking, in your classroom.
If you’d like to support the Education Research Reading Room podcast, please check out the ERRR Patreon page to explore this option. Any donation, even $1 per month, is greatly appreciated.
About today's guest
Neil Mercer is Emeritus Professor of Education at the University of Cambridge and director of the Oracy@Cambridge study centre. Prior to this he was professor of language and communications at the open university. Neil’s persistent interest in the role of language in the classroom, and the role of language in supporting the development of children’s thinking, has driven him to innumerable research papers, present internationally on this important topic, and to write many books including exploring talk in school, dialogue and the development of childrens’ thinking, and language, literacy and education.
Most recently Neil co-authored with Karen Littleton the book ‘Interthinking’, about which we’ll be talking today, as well as the highly practical Thinking Together classroom resources about which you’ll hear me speak enthusiastically in the following interview.
Links mentioned in the show
- Thinking Together classroom resources
- Ollie's blog on using the Thinking Together resources
- Oracy Cambridge
- Dylan Wiliam
- Noreen Webb talk in classrooms
- Michael Rosen, poet, prof, UCL (Neil recommends his tweets)
- Book: Talk, Elizabeth Stokoe. Neil's book review here.
Listen to all past episodes of the ERRR podcast here.