Examining the effects of classroom discussion on students’ comprehension of text: A meta-analysis.

TLDR

Classroom discussions have long been studied for their impact on comprehension and learning, yet no quantitative synthesis had examined their effects until now. This meta‑analysis investigates how classroom discussion influences teacher and student talk, as well as student comprehension, critical thinking, and reasoning. The analysis incorporated empirical studies spanning a broad age range, predominantly involving students in grades 4–6. Results showed that many discussion approaches boost student talk and reduce teacher talk, leading to notable gains in text comprehension, though few methods significantly improved literal or inferential comprehension and critical thinking, with effects moderated by study design, outcome type, and student ability.

Abstract

The role of classroom discussions in comprehension and learning has been the focus of investigations since the early 1960s. Despite this long history, no syntheses have quantitatively reviewed the vast body of literature on classroom discussions for their effects on students’ comprehension and learning. This comprehensive meta-analysis of empirical studies was conducted to examine evidence of the effects of classroom discussion on measures of teacher and student talk and on individual student comprehension and critical-thinking and reasoning outcomes. Results revealed that several discussion approaches produced strong increases in the amount of student talk and concomitant reductions in teacher talk, as well as substantial improvements in text comprehension. Few approaches to discussion were effective at increasing students’ literal or inferential comprehension and critical thinking and reasoning. Effects were moderated by study design, the nature of the outcome measure, and student academic ability. While the range of ages of participants in the reviewed studies was large, a majority of studies were conducted with students in 4th through 6th grades. Implications for research and practice are discussed.