The author describes an instructional model intended to enhance each learner's capacity for self-direction and intellectual responsibility. This article examines ground rules of the instructional format, theoretical bases, the experience of collaborative learning and team-building, use of panelists, and participants' evaluations of the model. (CT)

Describes the purposes, membership, tasks, and outcomes of two women's organizations in India as a prelude to discussing the characteristics of group processes and strategies for building and improving women's organizations. (SK)

Consensus is important in the making of a policy decision. If a decision is reached without consensus, morale and unit satisfaction may both suffer. With genuine consensus, a unit tends to willingly support and implement the new policy. After analyzing how observed small groups had actually reached consensus, the following ten techniques were…

The qualities of small group communication and interaction were tested in this study, which specifically measured group consensus and the quality of group decision making. Fifty groups of five members each were used. One member of each group was trained to exhibit either high or low "orientation," knowledge of the procedures the group…

The purpose of this paper is to consider the function and the use of lists of objectives prepared by someone other than the learner. (Author)

This discussion is concerned with the rationale and method of the Woodard Outreach Group Model. Included is a description of some of the theoretical and strategic matters involved with this method of working with small groups. Examples are presented illustrating ways in which the model has been modified and used with success in a variety of…

Illustrates how self-management procedures can be employed in school settings with small groups of students. Describes some guidelines and the benefits to be derived from such an application. Outlines how self-management groups have been carried out. (Author)

This paper discusses "Guided Design," a method for teaching course content which engages students in group decision-making, where problems are solved or issues are resolved in a step-by-step process using instructions and feedbacks especially prepared to make students think for themselves about subject matter rather than depend on the…

Seventy-seven fourth- and fifth-grade students were placed in either a cooperative or a competititve learning structure and the teacher either supported or did not support their decision-making competence. As hypothesized, students whose teacher supported them indicated that they were more confident and committed to making a classroom decision…

Three large, unstructured workshops (500-800 people) demonstrated how large groups of people can participate together and collectively choose ways of action aimed at satisfying all. Particular significance given to participants' shift away from looking for outside sources of answers, values and standards to discovery of strengths and answers…

Participatory decision-making strategies have been suggested as effective in groups with the task of solving unstructured problems or creating innovations. Concerned about evaluating children's affective growth in open classrooms, eight educators in a large metropolitan area agreed to meet regularly after school hours to develop an instrument to…

This manual is designed to provide adolescents and young adults who have disabilities with a blueprint for setting and achieving goals, making decisions, acquiring needed supports, and achieving a self-determined and sustainable lifestyle. A planning process called Group Action Planning is used as a foundation for self-determination, with…

A project description of the Alaskan Native Needs Assessment (ANNA) in education is presented. The 4 objectives are (1) identify the education preferences of Alaskan Native peoples; (2) develop a benchmark of education information which reflects current Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA) programs; (3) develop alternatives and make recommendations on…

In recent times the ultimate role of the Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA) in Alaskan education has been questioned, focusing on how much longer the BIA will operate schools and what form, if any, BIA education will have within and following the next 5 years. Therefore, the Commissioner of Indian Affairs (former Area Director for the Juneau Area…

This article, in Section 1, describes language learning as learner growth or development in three interrelated areas: personal awareness, awareness of learning processes and task awareness. These are the three angles of a triangle that constitute the notion of school learning as learner education. The second section discusses how to promote the…