Exploratory Talk
Exploratory talk according to Neil Mercer (2000) is where pupils engage critically but constructively with each other's ideas. They may make proposals which can be challenged and counter-challenged, but if so they have to give their reasons and offer alternatives. As with dialogic talk, pupils try to reach an agreement.
The main benefits are that exploratory talk provides pupils with an opportunity to extend their thinking and their learning through talk and through engaging with others' ideas in a supportive but challenging setting.
Exploratory talk can operate equally in a whole-class setting or in small groups or pairs and where arrangements and guidance for dialogic talk can operate.
Activity
Look at the video clips which feature exploratory talk and identify instances of where pupils build upon what each other says.
School A, Year 10 - Exploratory Talk (00:49)
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Transcript (21 KB) School C, Year 11 - Exploratory Talk (00:49)
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School B, Year 10 - Exploratory Talk (00:33)
You can watch the video via 56k modem or slow (100kbps) / medium (256 kbps) / fast (400kbps) / very fast (800kbps) broadband connections. Alternative format Flash video. You do need to have the flash plugin.