Research Article

An Action Research on Improving Classroom Communication and Interaction in Social Studies Teaching

Table 2

Themes, categories, and codes obtained from the interviews regarding the action process.

ThemesCategoriesCodes

Perspective on communicative approach trainingPerspective on trainings(i) Raising awareness
(ii) Finding trainings useful
(iii) Enjoying the trainings
Perspective on the planning phase(i) The effectiveness of the sample lesson design
(ii) Making use of the training notes and the articles
Perspective on the reorganization phase(i) Effectiveness of stimulated recall interviews
(ii) Recognising the deficiencies

Applicability of dialogic teachingNecessary conditions for application(i) Adequacy of the teacher
(ii) Teacher’s eagerness to professional development
(iii) Teacher’s preparation for the lesson
(iv) Student levels
(v) Students’ preparation for the lesson
(vi) Moderate and applicable syllabus
Applicability level(i) Applicable for some topics
(ii) Applicable for all grades
(iii) Different levels of efficiency for different grades
Reasons for inapplicability(i) Inapplicability of some topics and learning outcomes
(ii) Anxiety about the curriculum content and duration

Contribution and changeContribution and change for the teacher(i) More enjoyable and efficient lessons
(ii) Switching from the instructor to the facilitator
(iii) Learning the form of education suitable for the communicative approach
(iv) Learning to be patient with wrong answers
(v) Learning to listen to student ideas and to take them into account
(vi) Being happy
Contribution and change for the student(i) Active participation
(ii) Enjoying the lesson
(iii) Expressing his/her ideas better
(iv) Motivated reasoning
(v) Generate creative ideas
(vi) Offering counter arguments and refuting other ideas
(vii) Feeling important
(viii) Increased self-confidence
(ix) Becoming more engaged in the lesson
(x) Increase in student-student interaction

Problems encounteredTeacher(i) Inability to put the theoretical knowledge into practice
(ii) Heavy work load
(iii) Tiring
Student(i) Insufficient level of readiness
(ii) Inability to express his/her thoughts
(iv) Noise
Syllabus(i) Incompatible curriculum and course time
Physical condition of the classroom(i) Sitting arrangement
(ii) Classroom size

SuggestionsClassroom management(i) Setting classroom rules
Syllabus(i) Increasing weekly course hours
(ii) Easing the curriculum