Effective content talk
In Chapter 8, for example, we suggested ways of talking about content so that it is most likely to be understood
clearly, but in that chapter we described these as instructional strategies. In explaining ideas, for example, whether
briefly or as a extended lecture, we pointed out that it helps to offer advance organizing ideas, to relate new content
to prior knowledge, and to organize and elaborate on new information. In the same chapter, we also suggested
strategies about content talk intended for students, so that students understand their own thinking as well as
possible. We especially highlighted two ways of learning: inquiry learning and cooperative learning. Table 12.1
summarizes instructional strategies both for students and for teachers, and indicates how they contribute to
effective verbal communication about content.