Quality Talk in Science

QT has also been developed for use in high school chemistry and physics classrooms. QT science discussions are centered around students’ exploration of complex scientific phenomena. The QT approach has been shown to improve students’ critical-analytic thinking as evidenced by their use of scientific argumentation to support their understanding of relevant scientific ideas and principles.

For example, over the course of a six-month implementation of QT in high school chemistry and physics classes, students’ high-level thinking during discussion was evident in their talk. Additionally, students’ written arguments explaining scientific phenomena improved after participating in QT discussions.