The Application of Orbital Decomposition Analysis to Study the Dynamic Quality of Teacher-Teacher Interactions

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Bibliographic Details
Title: The Application of Orbital Decomposition Analysis to Study the Dynamic Quality of Teacher-Teacher Interactions
Language: English
Authors: Helena J. M. Pennings (ORCID 0000-0002-4881-7648), Marloes M. H. G. Hendrickx (ORCID 0000-0002-1290-3886), Marieke C. G. Thurlings (ORCID 0000-0002-7447-9750), Perry den Brok (ORCID 0000-0002-4945-763X)
Source: Classroom Discourse. 2025 16(2):207-223.
Availability: Routledge. Available from: Taylor & Francis, Ltd. 530 Walnut Street Suite 850, Philadelphia, PA 19106. Tel: 800-354-1420; Tel: 215-625-8900; Fax: 215-207-0050; Web site: http://www.tandf.co.uk/journals
Peer Reviewed: Y
Page Count: 17
Publication Date: 2025
Document Type: Journal Articles
Reports - Research
Descriptors: Communities of Practice, Faculty Development, Interaction, Discourse Analysis, Teacher Behavior, Interpersonal Communication
DOI: 10.1080/19463014.2024.2398140
ISSN: 1946-3014
1946-3022
Abstract: Moment-to-moment educational interactions affect longer-term outcomes of those involved in those interactions. In the present study, we illustrate with two cases of teacher--teacher interactions how Orbital Decomposition (OD) analysis can be used to analyse sequential patterns in real-time interactions. OD analysis is based on symbolic dynamics and is specially designed to identify recurring sequences of events in a time series of nominal categories of observed behaviour. First, we explain what OD analysis entails, after which we illustrate OD analysis using a study on teacher-teacher interactions between teachers in Professional Learning Communities. We show the analysis of conversational moves and turn-taking behaviour of two cases of teacher groups. The results reveal which interaction partner was in the lead and which conversational moves were associated with interdependent knowledge-building as compared to merely sending and receiving information. OD focuses on interaction patterns rather than basic frequencies and as such can be used to provide insights into interaction processes as these unfold over time.
Abstractor: As Provided
Entry Date: 2026
Accession Number: EJ1502590
Database: ERIC
Description
Abstract:Moment-to-moment educational interactions affect longer-term outcomes of those involved in those interactions. In the present study, we illustrate with two cases of teacher--teacher interactions how Orbital Decomposition (OD) analysis can be used to analyse sequential patterns in real-time interactions. OD analysis is based on symbolic dynamics and is specially designed to identify recurring sequences of events in a time series of nominal categories of observed behaviour. First, we explain what OD analysis entails, after which we illustrate OD analysis using a study on teacher-teacher interactions between teachers in Professional Learning Communities. We show the analysis of conversational moves and turn-taking behaviour of two cases of teacher groups. The results reveal which interaction partner was in the lead and which conversational moves were associated with interdependent knowledge-building as compared to merely sending and receiving information. OD focuses on interaction patterns rather than basic frequencies and as such can be used to provide insights into interaction processes as these unfold over time.
ISSN:1946-3014
1946-3022
DOI:10.1080/19463014.2024.2398140