Talking With Books: A Response to a Discussion

Abstract

Introduction:  During a follow-up on-site visit to Rita Witkowski's class in Lomira, Wisconsin, I led a discussion on discussions.  The class began with an exploration of the question, "Why do we talk?"  At the end of this part of the class discussion a question was raised for thought and possibly future discussion, i.e., can we talk with books?  The question was raised primarily to initiate further thinking on the part of the students, but as is often the case, a question which is interesting to the students is also a question which is good for the teacher.  This paper explores the ways in which we can and do talk with books and some of the reasons why this conversation is or can be productive.