The learner-centred interactive pedagogy classroom: Its implications for dialogic interaction in Eritrean secondary schools

Abstract

Learner-centred interactive pedagogy (LCIP) emphasises skills, such as enquiring, analysing, evaluating, problem-solving and critical thinking which require students to interact and participate in classroom discourses by drawing on their own experiences. This study focuses on the manifestations LCIP in promoting teacher-student classroom interaction in Eritrean secondary classrooms and explores the seeds of dialogic interaction in fostering LCIP. In 2003, the Ministry of Education in Eritrea (MoE) reformed the traditional learning approaches and developed new pedagogical practices guided by LCIP. In response to the educational reform, various learning strategies including group- and pair work activities, generating open questions, student presentation and some features of dialogue have been employed by teachers to develop LCIP in classrooms, although little research has explored how teachers implement LCIP in practice. The research reported here is based on twelve video-recorded lessons from secondary schools in two regions of Eritrea. The lessons were analysed to explore the different forms of interaction present in Eritrean classrooms. Despite teachers’ effort in practicing LCIP, the findings suggest that teachers have still continued with more conventional teaching. Nevertheless, the findings also reveal the presence and potential of dialogic moments indicating the value of developing LCIP with dialogic interaction through more and active student involvement to enhance classroom interaction. The findings suggest that knowledge of LCIP and dialogic interaction support experience of learning in Eritrea and are an important means to invigorate teacher education and professional development programs for improving the quality of education.