The Institute for Learning

Accountable Talk® Study Tools

Accountable Talk®: Classroom Conversation that Works is a set of study tools that introduce teachers and other education professionals to the kinds of classroom talk that support rigorous instruction and learning for all students. Developed by the Institute for Learning at the University of Pittsburgh's Learning Research and Development Center, these materials are designed to help users recognize talk that is accountable, understand its value and appropriate use as a form of assistance, and bring it to life in their schools and classrooms.

The tools combine a variety of substantive resources:

• easily accessible, research-based text explaining the various dimensions and features of classroom talk that is accountable, co-authored by leading authorities in the fields of socio-linguistics and cognitive science;
• printer-ready complete and excerpted texts of foundational articles, topical reading lists, bibliographies, and video transcripts;
• a wealth of classroom video segments gathered from elementary, middle and high schools across the U.S. illustrating students talking accountably in English language arts and mathematics, as well as science, social studies, and the arts.
• video interviews with nationally-known experts on cultural and socio-linguistic diversity discussing issues of equity and access in classroom talk; and
• a collection of guided learning activities for individual and group study that promote awareness, understanding, and skillful implementation of classroom talk that is accountable.

Together, these resources comprise a rich and multi-dimensional professional development product that can stand alone or be used to extend, strengthen, or even anchor a discipline-specific professional development curriculum.

AVAILABILITY:

The Accountable Talk® Study Tools are available to IFL member districts through their member district websites.