The application of orbital decomposition analysis to study the dynamic quality of teacher–teacher interactions

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.