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Table 6 Group 1A’s dialog on predicting conductivity of NaI and sucrose

From: The influences of group dialog on individual student understanding of science concepts

Dialog

Code

Comments/interpretations

1 S2: The first one would definitely [conduct] because it’s ionic

GNC/AGC

Initiating move-justification based on molecular structure

2 S1: Because the molecule is ionic? Or how do we explain it?

GNC/AGC

Seeks group consensus

3 S2: Does it say explain it or just predict?

Procedural

Procedural talk

4 S3: Predict with an explanation

GNC/AGC

Response statement

5 S4: The charge rule for that one.

GNC/AGC

Proposes ways to justify response

6 S2: When freely moving ions are present

GNC/AGC

Use of particular-level information

7 S1: I need to write it on the sheet, so how do you guys want to phrase it?

GNC/AGC

Seeks group consensus

S4: I'd put that it will conduct electricity in an aqueous solution because it’s an ionic bond so the Nal compound would change to Na+ ions and I- ions and the particles would be surrounded by water, which conducts electricity

GNC/AGC

Follow-up statement: provides justification based on molecular structure information as a reason for response

9 S1: So. when added to water it will change to ions?

GNC/AGC/SST

Skeptical questioning-could signal change in thinking

10 S4: Yeah. For the second one do we think it will conduct or won’t conduct?

GNC/AGC

Asks for group clarification

11 S2: I don’ think it would because it’s a molecular compound

GNC/AGC

Provides structure-based argument for why suggestions is correct

12 S3: It will stay together

GNC/AGC

More structure-based evidence

13 S4: Yeah

 

Acknowledgement /support

14 S1: So. the second one will not conduct electricity?

GNC/AGC

Group consensus-checking statement

15 S2: I kind of did an experiment like this in high school and it was like this

Side Talk

brings in previous experience

16 S1: Because it’s a molecular compound and won't separate?

GNC/AGC

Group consensus-checking statement

17 S4: Yeah

[Whole class interruption by course instructor]

GNC/AGC

Acknowledgement statement

18 S4: I was saying it was a molecular compound and it won’t separate into ions when water is added. It will stay a compound

GNC/AGC

Response statement; affirms group response

S1: That sounds good

GNC

Acknowledgement statement