This study explores how second language (L2) learners perceive indirect (hedging or indirect speech acts) and direct written teacher feedback. Though research suggests that indirect speech acts may be more difficult to interpret than direct speech acts ([Champagne, 2001] and [Holtgraves, 1999]), using indirect speech acts is often encouraged in…

Over the last decade, interactive whiteboards have become popular teaching and learning tools, especially in primary school classrooms. Research studies from recent literature report on high levels of student motivation, teacher enthusiasm and whole-school support associated with these technological tools. Much research to date has reported on the…

This article presents an argument for the use of networked interactive whiteboards (NIWBs) in regional Australian higher education and identifies new pedagogies for this context. Most Australian universities operate multiple campuses, and many use video conference facilities to deliver courses across these sites. For students at remote video…

Engaging students productively in even the most thoroughly planned and richly meaningful arts activity requires giving effective directions. Giving effective directions, however, is a crucial art for teaching artists to master. In this article, the author discusses the components of giving directions. These components are: Tell students; Show…

The author explores how students can become partners in innovation and inquiry, more engaged in the classroom, and better positioned to succeed when educators listen to their students talk about learning. Bueschel concludes that students who have not been successful in school present many challenges, but they can also be an asset in overcoming…

When observing teachers in action, one is likely to witness explaining, modeling, managing, guiding, and encouraging. These expressive behaviors constitute a directive force moving outward from teacher to students. Though less visible to an outside observer, teaching also requires receptive skills, the ability to take in information by being fully…

Teacher education programs have increasingly come under fire for not providing pre-service teachers communication skills training. Given that such training is essential to address diversity in the classroom and to meet the day-to-day functioning of teachers, higher education must provide communication skills training for teacher certification.…

This article discusses how communication theory is used to understand the thoughts mathematics teachers employ when creating messages intended for students. According to communication theory, individuals have different premises about the act of communicating, and these thoughts, called message design logics, guide the process of reasoning from…

In this article, an analysis and critique of one small but pedagogically significant component of classroom discourse (instructors' use of long-familiar questioning routines in whole-group classroom discussion) is used to support the larger argument that analysis of classroom discourse at the college level offers many valuable ways to reflect on,…

This study reports on an investigation of classroom interaction and discourse practices in Nigerian primary schools. Its purpose was to identify key issues affecting patterns of teacher-pupil interaction and discourse as research suggests managing the quality of classroom interaction will play a central role in improving the quality of teaching…

Oral language is a cognitive tool used to construct meaning, internalize the language used in print, and regulate thought and activity. A classroom rich in talk supports children's language and literacy development. Talk clears up confusion and serves to share interests and ideas. Kalmar describes the value of talking and listening, their…

Although the originators of the language socialization (LS) paradigm were careful to cast socialization as a contingent, contested, "bidirectional" process, the focus in much first language LS research on "successful" socialization among children and caregivers may have obscured these themes. Despite this, I suggest the call…

This article is the result of a year-long study into the effects of sign language use on participation in one mainstream preschool setting. Observations and interviews were the primary data-collection tools used during this investigation. This article focuses on how the use of sign language in the classroom affected the learning community's…

Drawing on discourse analysis and critical literacy, this study calls into question prevailing assumptions about integration by examining talk in English and "Humash" classrooms as windows into the two worlds of a Modern Orthodox high school. The study found that the two subjects presented very different models of teaching and learning. "Humash"…

The paper reports on part of a large-scale study aimed at examining students' perceptions of teacher-student interactions. This paper will report on a study utilising mixed methodology in 12 Queensland primary classrooms. After the students' perceptions were established, the teachers, through a consultative process, developed strategies to change…