Academic conversations by jeff zwiers discusses the power of lessons built around student discussions often in pairs or small groups around content topics he presents a persuasive case for how these conversations can increase critical thinking content understanding integration of information and connection of this content to other content . Academic conversations classroom talk that fosters critical thinking and content understandings by jeff zwiers is built on the idea that some of the best learning that occurs for all of us happens in conversations and that a powerful way to improve student learning and increase transfer skills across curriculum and into life is through . Academic conversations classroom talk that fosters critical thinking and content understandings jeff zwiers marie crawford stenhouse publishers 2011 education 234 pages. Unfortunately academic conversations are rare in many classrooms talk is often dominated by the teacher and a few students or it does not advance beyond short responses to the teachers questions even certain teaching approaches and curriculum programs neglect to train students how to maintain a focused respectful and thoughtful conversation