Supports the hypothesis that interaction processes connected with the Valence Distribution Model mediated the effect of decision schemes on group decisions. Substantiates the assumptions that interaction is a crucial factor in group decision making. Although input conditions may also have an impact on decision outcomes, they are mediated by…

A decision story is a brief scenario describing a health problem which might be faced in real life. Such topics as venereal disease, drug use, and nutrition can be explored by use of the decision-making model. The phases involved in processing the decision story strategy are described. (JN)

Describes and illustrates a series of discussions and a charting form to help junior high school instructors teach their students self-directed discussion skills. (RL)

The peer self-help group approach used by Alcoholics Anonymous can be a model for other types of adult learning. The group's power, solidarity, experience sharing, and values clarification can provide positive social and educational experiences to others such as the chronically unemployed, illiterate adults, and high school dropouts. (SK)

Recent findings in studies of moral education indicate that "plus-one" teachers, who function as discussion leaders and pitch moral arguments one stage above the majority of the class, are not necessary for students' moral growth. Teachers should be viewed as models and facilitators rather than producers of moral reasoning. (Author/WD)

This investigation of the effect of stimulus environment design on the probability of desired attitude learning provides a rationale for attitudes as reinforcement or reward values and discusses the roles of human models, group discussion, simulation, visual and verbal mediations of experiences, frequency of exposure, media selection, and learning…

The Department of Psychiatric Education at the College of Physicians and Surgeons of Columbia University holds seven-hour workshops on teaching to enhance the teaching skills of its residents. Presentations of educational principles, simulation exercises, group discussions, and reviews of audiotaped residents are among the techniques used in the…

Describes the group leadership skills that a teacher needs to conduct a class meeting according to William Glasser's reality therapy model. (SJL)

The article presents six classroom activities designed to foster the cognitive and affective growth of gifted, creative, and talented primary grade students. (DLS)

Discusses the use of focus groups for conducting research with children, and presents a case study that used the focus group method in a child sexual abuse prevention program. Critiques the advantages and disadvantages of the use of focus groups with children for evaluative purposes. (Author/CR)

Examines and identifies students' mental models of an abstract mathematical concept regarding intuition. Observes how students think reflectively on their mental models in a whole-class discussion in terms of logical thinking. (DDR)

Reviews the growth of literature study as an open-ended enterprise for student growth and discussion. Critiques new directions in literature study among children. Explains basic ideas behind the authors' recommendation for literature study. (TB)

A teacher of middle school deaf students describes the use of literature study circles to encourage reading. The study circles encourage self-selection of reading materials, build a sense of community, help students to learn open-ended group discussion techniques, and foster thinking skills. (DB)

Discusses the dominant paradigm for analyzing interactions, Conversation Analysis (CA), pointing out that the paradigm does not include participant intention in its analysis. Notes that CA practitioners focus on empirical investigations of what the participants are doing and how they are doing it and that the understanding of an utterance is…

Features of a web-based learning environment for physicians included the following: balance between content richness and bandwidth; shared knowledge and interaction using actual cases; constructivist approach to develop basic cases into advanced cases for reflection and interaction. Evaluation of the program showed comparable participation rates…