Classroom Interaction in Private Schools Serving Low-Income Families in Hyderabad, India.

Fay Smith, Frank Hardman, James Tooley

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

Abstract

This paper reports on a study of classroom interaction and discourse in privately-funded schools serving low-income families in Hyderabad, India. In common with other developing countries, India has seen a proliferation of such schools and yet little systematic study has been made of them. One hundred and thirty eight lessons were analysed using a computerised systematic observation system; a further 20 lessons were video recorded and analysed using discourse analysis. The findings reveal patterns of classroom interaction and discourse similar to those reported in earlier studies of Indian government primary schools. Teacher-led recitation, rote and repetition dominated the classroom discourse with little attention being paid to securing pupil understanding. The wider implications of the findings for improving the quality of classroom discourse in Indian primary schools are considered together with the need for further research into how the wider social order is influencing pedagogic practices. (Contains 4 tables and 2 figures.) ABSTRACT AUTHORS: As Provided.
Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)607-618
Number of pages12
JournalInternational Education Journal
Volume6
Issue number5
Publication statusPublished - Dec 2005

Bibliographical note

Database: ERIC

Record type: New.

Language: English

DataStar source field: International Education Journal, Dec 2005, vol. 6, no. 5, p. 607-618, pp. 12, 23 refs., ISSN: 1443-1475.

DataStar update date: 20091001

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