Heuristic dialogue

Heuristic dialogue is a practice of shared knowledge-building originating in Franco Lorenzoni’s teaching and developed through research with INDIRE. “Heuristic” points to inquiry: the purpose is not to guess the teacher’s answer, but to bring learners’ associations, hypotheses and theories into view.

Listening has a knowledge-building role. The teacher collects and connects learners’ words, introduces experiences or objects that can move thinking forward and documents the journey to share it with the class. Improvisation and design are not opposites: a rich environment is prepared while leaving room for unforeseen directions.

Documentation distinguishes this practice from an occasional conversation. Transcripts, drawings, models and shared reflections help the group recognise how ideas changed and how one person’s thinking supported another’s.

Sources

Reference titles are retained in their original language. Linked resources may be in Italian or another language.

1. INDIRE — Linee guida sul dialogo euristico
2. Carocci — Il dialogo euristico, a cura di Franco Lorenzoni e Laura Parigi
3. INDIRE – Avanguardie Educative – Il dialogo euristico