In order to collaborate effectively in group discourse on a topic like mathematical patterns, group participants must organize their activities in ways that share the significance of their utterances, inscriptions, and behaviors. Here, we report the results of a ethnomethodological case study of collaborative math problem-solving activities…

An examination of the effectiveness of a group leader given varying levels of leader-to-group agreement on issues. (CH)

Problem solving groups have helped young pupils to solve their social and behavioral problems. Examples of students' progress are offered and the program's expansion is described. (CL)

The adversary system is a bad bargain for everybody, these authors believe, since insecurity and fear are the results. They describe an approach they found successful and recommend that teachers and students also use it. (Editor)

The basic finding of this study was that two cooperating, discussing individuals were more effective on a concept attainment task that either two cooperating individuals not allowed discussion or two competing individuals. (EH)

This article describes and evaluates a problem solving procedure in which senior executives, accompanied by a personnel or employee relations officer, conduct informal give and take sessions with small groups of employees. (LY)

A case history of an organizational development project at American Airlines. (EB)

Sets forth the nine major steps of problem solving in a proactive, future-focused, and vision-oriented way: defining the problem, identifying the contributing factors, stating why this is a problem, stating the preferred scenario, brainstorming possible alternatives, evaluating pros and cons of the alternatives, choosing an alternative, developing…

Argues for liberating factors in education (student-centered practice, open-ended discussion, and art as a subject). Describes the "Visual Thinking Strategies" teaching method, which focuses on structured but open, group discussions about diverse art objects in order to help viewers develop a rapport with art, increase aesthetic…

Objective: To evaluate a modified curriculum for the 6-session Texas Expanded Food and Nutrition Education Program (EFNEP) promoting healthful home food environments and parenting skills related to obesity prevention. Design: Two-group randomized control trial; intervention versus usual EFNEP curriculum. Setting: Texas EFNEP classes. Participants:…

This study reports the impact of high sensitivity to early exchange in 11th-grade, CSCL triads solving well- and ill-structured problems in Newtonian Kinematics. A mixed-method analysis of the evolution of participation inequity (PI) in group discussions suggested that participation levels tended to get locked-in relatively early on in the…

This article discusses two sequences of activities that were developed to support middle school students' and preservice teachers' construction of algorithms for dividing fractions. One sequence is intended to promote understanding of the common-denominator algorithm; the other sequence is intended to promote understanding of the…

Understanding the potential power of questions to promote thoughtful examination is at the heart of classroom teaching. If classroom discussions are to bear fruit, with students examining issues intelligently, teachers must develop an awareness of and be sensitive to how questions are framed. Good questions follow an interactive rhythm that…

This curriculum guide outlines a course in discussion for college sophomores or those who have taken a communication fundamentals course. This guide emphasizes the principles of discussion and group dynamics and their applications to groups engaged in information-sharing or problem-solving tasks. The course is divided into two principal units with…