This book is a guide is for school practitioners who want to know more about planning and conducting focus groups as an aid to decision-making. It emphasizes practical and cost-effective ways to ensure accurate results. After defining the focus group, chapter 1 offers ways focus groups can be used in schools and reasons for using them. Chapter 2…

This four-session discussion guide, intended for use by teachers, students, and the community at large, explores the ethics of intervening or not intervening in conflicts abroad. Inserts provide current information on conflicts in Bosnia, Haiti, North Korea, and Somalia where U.S. military involvement is at issue, but the flexibility of the guide…

Describes and gives sample of using Guided Design as an instructional strategy for English-as-a-second-language classes with two main objectives: (1) teaching subject matter, and (2) teaching decision-making skills. Goals achieved include using class time for speaking, freeing the teacher to observe individual student errors, and planning later…

Offers practical ideas to make meetings more effective. Stresses the importance of planning and describes the following three types of meetings: information, brainstorming, and decision making. Notes components of successful meetings: an agenda, facilitator, timekeeper, recorder, and effective communication and conflict management skills. Suggests…

Ways of determining when a school is ready to plan and implement major instructional improvements are presented. Three primary areas are suggested for in-depth exploration and consideration, and to facilitate the process the following problem-solving tools are outlined: (1) guidelines for assessing readiness for using a group problem-solving…

Describes a two-week instructional unit for ninth-grade gifted students which emphasizes development of ethical thinking and decision-making skills using a structured group-discussion methodology. Students formulate discussion questions through a multi-step process. Unit guide sheets, brainstorming examples, and activity schedules are included.…

This report outlines procedures for a weekend study session between a school board and the superintendent. The purpose of the study session is to provide an opportunity to establish basic directions and decision-making roles for the board and the superintendent. The weekend study session is usually attended by the board and the superintendent's…

A simulated search and screen committee activity for selecting three candidates for final interviews for the position of assistant professor of higher education in a College of Education is presented. The institution, "Metropolitan State University," and the position are briefly described, and the process of the appointment of the…

"Games" is a decision-making process for groups to use in analyzing the educational needs of a school. During three group sessions, a moderator leads the participants through a series of activities in which they identify: 1) concerns about the educational program, 2) needs for program improvement, 3) resources that are being used in relation to…

Examines a traditional group discussion course redesigned to operate via computer-mediated communication. Finds more frequent student contact with instructors, high level of course approval by students, and group output that equaled or excelled that of traditionally taught courses. (MS)

Knowledge of theory, of research, and of potential strategies is an important component in any educational equity effort. Unless these kinds of knowledge can be applied to specific situations, they are of little "real life" value. The use of vignettes may help. A vignette is a short story without an ending that presents an issue. The…

A framework for developing teachers' reflective decision making ability is provided along with specific staff development activities that promote teacher reflection. Strategies include conducting personal histories, video/audio self-assessment, journal writing, cognitive coaching, cases, role playing, and problem framing/action research. (SM)