Dialogue and reflection

Ground rules

If we are to use talking as a tool for our own or learning, perhaps by pairing up with a colleague or joining a discussion group, it will be important to be explicit about how this is to operate. Participants need to know that talking is permitted and expected. The talking will need to be purposeful and participants will have to be clear about their roles and how talking is to be used.

It can be helpful to establish ground rules for activities where exploratory talk is used to achieve learning. If these are made early on, good listening practice and turn-taking can be established in discussions. The ground rules can be referred to if things threaten to become disorganised or someone tries to 'hog' the conversation.