Introducing Dialogic Pedagogy presents some of the ideas of Russian philosopher Mikhail Bakhtin concerning dialogism in a way that will engage and inspire those studying early childhood education. By translating the growing body of dialogic scholarship into a practical application of teaching and learning with very young children, this book provides readers with alternative ways of examining, engaging and reflecting on practice in the early years to provoke new ways of understanding and enacting pedagogy. This text combines important theoretical ideas with a practical application to support practitioners who are keen to promote creativity and agency through ethical self-other relations. It provides unique insights into the amazing world of the youngest child, and offers enriched understandings of the profound impact of adults in their journey of becoming (or bildung). Key points covered include: Investigating dialogic philosophy and its application to early childhood education, with an emphasis on notions of justice, democracy, ethics and answerability Considering the relationship between dialogism and pedagogical approaches Theorising a range of approaches to relevant early childhood practice, as pedagogy This accessible and readable guide offers sound theoretical principles with practical suggestions for early years’ settings. The book is supplemented by an extensive online video resource website that will bring these revolutionary ideas to life. .

Recent academic research criticizes the effectiveness of traditional lecturing methods and instead shows the pedagogical effectiveness of active learning methods, especially discussion-based education. Drawing on the dialogic writings of Bakhtin, Freire, and Habermas, this study reviews the five primary themes cited in active learning research: improvements in student concentration; socialization in disciplinary norms; scaffolding towards higher critical thinking; inclusion of non-traditional learning styles; and reduction of student absenteeism. Testing these findings in a discussion-based undergraduate college education classroom, this study finds significant improvements towards higher critical thinking skills, increased student concentration, and reduced student absenteeism. However, the study finds questionable effectiveness of discussion-based teaching for socializing undergraduate college education students in disciplinary norms.

The author came to the decision to embark on this journey into dialogic pedagogy when he firmly realised that education is essentially dialogic. It is not that pedagogy should be dialogic -- he rather argues that it is always dialogic. This is true whether the participants in it, or outside observers of it, realise it or not -- and even when the participants are resistant to dialogue. This statement is in contrast with views that promote dialogic interaction in the classroom as a form of instruction. This conceptualisation contrasts with views that dialogic interaction or conversational instruction are more effective instructional means in comparison to, let's say, a more monologic genre of instruction such as a lecture or a demonstration. This statement is also in contrast with views that assume dialogue is a pedagogical instrument that can be turned on and off. He argues that whatever teachers and students do (or not do) whether in their classrooms or beyond it, they are locked in dialogic relations.

With dialogue and dialogic teaching as upcoming buzz-words, we face a familiar mix of danger and opportunity. The opportunity is to transform classroom talk, increase pupil engagement, and lift literacy standards from their current plateau. The danger is that a powerful idea will be jargonised before it is even understood, let alone implemented, and that practice claiming to be dialogic will be little more than re-branded chalk and talk or ill-focused discussion. Dialogic teaching is about more than applying tips such as less hands-up bidding. It demands changes - in the handling of classroom space and time; in the balance of talk, reading and writing; in the relationship between speaker and listener; and in the content and dynamics of talk itself.

This volume brings together nine essays by established and new scholars from Russia, Britain and North America to explore the historical contexts and current relevance of the work of the Bakhtin Circle for social theory, philosophy, history and linguistics.

Dialogue has long been used in primary classrooms to stimulate thinking, but it is not always easy to unite the creative thinking of good dialogue with the need for children to understand the core concepts behind knowledge-rich subjects. A sound understanding of key concepts is essential to progress through the national curriculum, and assessment of this understanding along with effective feedback is central to good practice. Dialogic Education builds upon decades of practical classroom research to offer a method of teaching that applies the power of dialogue to achieving conceptual mastery. Easy-to-follow template lesson plans and activity ideas are provided, each of which has been tried and tested in classrooms and is known to succeed. Providing a structure for engaging children and creating an environment in which dialogue can flourish, this book is separated into three parts: Establishing a classroom culture of learning; Core concepts across the curriculum; Wider dialogues: Educational adventures in the conversation of mankind. Written to support all those in the field of primary education, this book will be an essential resource for student, trainee and qualified primary teachers interested in the educational importance of dialogue.

This book provides a wide-ranging and in-depth theoretical perspective on dialogue in teaching. It explores the philosophy of dialogism and explains its importance in teaching and learning. The authors present the core concepts of dialogism as a social theory of language and consider the implications of these ideas for pedagogy.