Abstract
This chapter argues for the crucial place of conversation in technology education, using sociocultural theory to propose that talk plays a significant role in cognitive development through group interactions and collaborative learning. Three major and interrelated themes in technology education conversations are introduced: deployment, conduit and knowledge. Notions of ‘inquiry’ and ‘21st Century’ learning place the student at the centre of the process, and when implemented together with informed understandings of the importance and nature of conversation, facilitate deep learning. The significance of the funds of knowledge that students bring to the classroom from home and community is also highlighted.
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Fox-Turnbull, W. (2015). Conversations to Support Learning in Technology Education. In: Williams, P., Jones, A., Buntting, C. (eds) The Future of Technology Education. Contemporary Issues in Technology Education. Springer, Singapore. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-981-287-170-1_6
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