Issues and questions as discussion possibilities were listed. Some topics considered were the curriculum, the teacher, special education children, and the community school relationship. Finally, recommendations for art programs and special education students were made. (RK)

The purpose of this communication group is to train parents in the skills of active listening and conflict resolution. The model borrows extensively from Gordon's Parent Effectiveness Training. The parents learn to use communication skills and problem-solving techniques. (Author/PC)

An approach to problem solving, said to lessen the barriers in the usual small group or committee situation, is described as a structured, task-directed method of brainstorming. Rules for brainstorming, organizing, a sample brainstorming assignment, and potential merits and pitfalls of the system are given. (MF)

Compares high and low consensus discussions, and identifies patterns of communication which differentiate the two levels of agreement. Describes several interactional differences, including the variety of integration methods employed, and the method and distribution of generating possible solutions to the problem. (MM)

Considered how to make children responsible to themselves and their social environment. (RK)

There was no significant difference in attitudes toward biology between high-ability grade nine biology students exposed to 20 randomly selected Invitations to Enquiry'' and similar students whose course did not include invitations. There is some suggestion that more difficult Invitations'' later in the course may have arrested a general decline…

Concludes (1) that the relationship between consensus and decision quality tends to merge when the group approaches its task in a systematic and rational manner and (2) that group communication scholars need to be careful about assuming that consensus decision-making necessarily results in more decision-making satisfaction among group members. (PD)

This article, third in a series, discusses the last three phases of the creative problem solving process: idea-finding, solution-finding, and acceptance-finding. These phases focus on brainstorming to generate possibilities and alternatives to the problem, evaluating each idea's strengths and limitations, prioritizing the solutions, and developing…

This article explores the dynamics of a creative problem solving meeting which frequently reaches impasse. Excerpts from the meeting transcript are presented to determine where and why the group gets off track in developing a method to evaluate sales training. Suggestions are offered for steering the group away from win/lose arguments and into…

Presents an accessible method to help adolescents become thoughtful decision makers, which combines social decision-making/problem-solving activities with the literature of the eighth-grade English classroom. (SR)

Describes nine group problem-solving and communication initiatives used in adventure- and experiential-education settings. Includes target group, group size, time and space requirements, activity level, props, instructions, and tips for post-activity group reflection and processing. Activities emphasize teamwork, communication skills, and a…

Phyllis Whitin was interested in the role of communications in developing mathematical understanding among children. She designed a problem-posing explorations system, which encouraged children to think, question, solve problems and discuss their ideas, strategies and solutions.

This study investigated the effect of well- vs. ill-structured problem types on: (a) group interactional activity, (b) evolution of group participation inequities, (c) group discussion quality, and (d) group performance in a synchronous, computer-supported collaborative learning (CSCL) environment. Participants were 60 11th-grade science students…

THIS GUIDE TO CONFERENCE LEADERSHIP BEGINS WITH A CHAPTER ON LEADERSHIP PSYCHOLOGY AND GOES ON TO PRESENT OUTLINES FOR RUNNING CONFERENCES. THE LEADER PREPARES FOR THE MEETING BY COLLECTING FACTS ON THE SUBJECT, PREPARING AN OUTLINE, KNOWING THE PARTICIPANTS, MAKING PHYSICAL ARRANGEMENTS, AND WRITING THE TENTATIVE SUMMARY. IN THE CONFERENCE HE…