Using dialogic diaries to explore and develop student

Using dialogic diaries to explore and develop student understanding Nicola Walshe Faculty of Education, University of Cambridge

What am I trying to find out? • What are students’ understandings of sustainability at the beginning of Year 10? • How do students’ understandings of sustainability change throughout Year 10 (and onto Year 11)? • To what extent can students’ understandings of sustainability be explored (and developed? ) through the use of dialogic diaries?

The Students Photos of students removed

The Specification • Edexcel B GCSE Specifications: a focus on sustainability • Units so far: • Dynamic Population • Consuming Resources • Living Spaces • Making a Living

Dialogic diaries: the process STUDENTS Responses to student questions (all of them!) Questions about learning / reflections Photo of student removed Reflections on learning Questions about learning Responses to my comments / questions Questions about understanding of sustainability Information about themselves Questions about students Questions about me ME

QUALITY OF DIARY RESPONSE Building Relationships Enthusiasm & Clarity Habit & Learning Motivators: Ø Reference to personal interest (quiz) ØReference to my own personal life Ø Discussion of point of diaries Ø Tailoring diary to individual Ø Alternative work! Uncertainty Apathy & Lack of Enthusiasm TIME

What do you think? • Can you see any evidence of ‘learning’ in the extract? • How might the diaries be used as a teaching / learning tool (by teachers) • How might the diaries be used by us with trainee teachers? Jess Photo of student removed

Photos of students removed Jess Tyler What do the students think? Chris

What does the teacher think? (1) Learning about sustainability “The diaries have really helped a lot of the pupils consider the three pillars. . . and they have started to use the words ‘environmentally / economically / socially sustainable’ more without me prompting them. They can see it as a theme in all of the lessons and in discussing it more in the diaries, it has made some of them more confident in lessons. ”

What does the teacher think? (2) Learning and reflecting “Some pupils have struggled with graphs like population pyramids and the DTM. In being able to discuss this and write down their worries, it has helped keep them going. . . . It has also shown them that an extra interest is being taken in them, and for some pupils, this has been excellent. James has come round (I think) and people like Faith, Amy and Rebecca have a forum for their thoughts and ideas. I love it!”

Brief Thoughts. . • Researching understanding vs developing understanding • My multiple personalities • Implications for teaching / teacher training? • Looking forward. . . • Time scale? • Analysis? • Dialogic Ning? Photo of student removed

Multiple Personalities! Dr Walshe The diary persona ? Me The classroom persona