Discusses alternatives to brainstorming such as the Trigger Method, the SIL (Successive Integration of Problem Elements) Method, the Wildest Idea, Brainwriting Pool, Method 6-3-5, Pin Cards, the Gallery Method, the Crawford Slip Method, and Nominal Group Technique. (JOW)

Describes successful effort of small women's social services agency to modify its way of operating by means of problem-solving process involving board and staff members. Notes that conflict between staff members actually involved fundamental issues facing organization in transition from informal, volunteer effort to established, service-giving…

Explores attitudes, values, and behavior needed to be an effective member of an action learning team, including group process skills and problem-solving approaches. (SK)

Investigates interactive processes among group partners and the relationship of these processes to problem-solving outcomes in two contrasting groups. Identifies three major contrastive dimensions in group interaction: (1) he mutuality of exchanges; (2) the achievement of joint attentional engagement; and (3) the alignment of group members' goals…

Many school principals say that the toughest part of the day is recess. That's because recess is when most trouble starts. When the author asked one principal recently about recess, she promptly rattled off a list of headaches, such as "the teasing, the fights, the bullying, the injuries, the referrals." In this article, the author describes…

Human Communication in Organizations (HCO) is an introductory college course at Ithaca College, typically taken in the freshman year, in which students from a wide variety of majors examine the basic concepts, issues, and uses of organizational communication including communication theory, superior-subordinate and peer relationships, leadership,…

This study investigated the collaborative decision-making and communicative discourse of groups of learners engaged in a simulated medical emergency in two conditions. In one condition subgroups used a traditional whiteboard (TW group) to document medical arguments on how to solve a medical emergency. In the other condition subgroups used…

A study examined the different degrees of satisfaction with the nominal group technique (NGT) felt by policymakers and change agents with differing professional backgrounds and responsibilities who participated in nominal groups. A total of 206 participants at four conferences at Texas A&M University (international food and water policy, Texas…

A brief description of the Florida Linkage System's training modules is provided. The training program is designed to introduce teachers and educational personnel to a systematic approach to problem-solving and decision-making. Emphasis is placed on group interaction, and raising awareness of self as an individual in a social context. The title,…

This book, written to instruct in the use of a conference as a medium of social intercourse, is divided into four sections. Section I, which contains five articles, deals with factors to be considered in planning a conference. Specific techniques one can employ to improve a conference and several different techniques for evaluating the…

Suggests that group members' apprehension about communicating in groups can potentially mediate the effects of group versus individual brainstorming upon performance. (MH)

Reassesses Tallman's proposition that the optimum family structure for effective problem-solving is one that provides for open communication, centralized authority, and consensus about family roles and goals. Suggests a revised basis for Tallman's view: achieved centrality of organization, obtained when groups structure themselves as part of the…

In a family meeting all members participate equally and try to solve problems that affect each member individually and as a whole. Ground rules for starting a weekly meeting are offered. (DF)

The paper describes the characteristics of a successfully operating study group for practicing special education teachers to promote professional exchange and problem solving and maintenance and generalization of professional teacher practices. Procedural characteristics are noted as well as some social validation data collected from group…

Briefly defines purpose of each type of group function. (CJ)