Two groups of incarcerated males aged 15-18 (four each) participated in conversation groups. The treatment group received specific conversational skills training. Results suggested that aggressive adolescents with learning disabilities may benefit from interventions designed to improve their conversational skills. (Conains 22 references.) (JOW)

Describes the study circle concept that pioneered in Sweden during the last century. Suggests that study circles can be sustained if their usefulness for education, communication, and leadership development can be demonstrated to organizations. Offers multiple forms of study circles for organizational use. (JOW)

Describes electronic discussion groups and offers tips for those new to using Listservs and Usenet News. (SR)

This paper presents data collected from small discussion groups in English classrooms. The project from which this research is taken examines the processes of pupils' learning through talk-related activities and contributes to debates about boys' relative under-achievement in comparison to girls. Although the project as a whole looked at the…

The level of online hostility, with "flames" fired back and forth among participants, can at times make discussion groups appear to be the ultimate refuge for sociopaths releasing years of pent-up frustration. The safety of distance and relative anonymity make these verbal battles virtually risk free. This document discusses ways to personally…

This article reports empirical work conducted by three university teacher education providers into how a major revision of the science curriculum in England, the "How Science Works" strand, has been translated into practice for 14-16 year olds in schools. Data were collected from pre-service teachers about their understanding,…

Online education based on small self-managing groups, with slight supervision by a professional tutor, is a strategically interesting methodology for lifelong learning. This solution may combine aspects of cost-effectiveness (reducing tutors' work) with the demands for active and engaging learning methods based on the exchange and sharing of…

This article considers policies and strategies employed to professionalise the early childhood workforce in England since the Labour government took office in 1997. The term "professionalisation" is associated here with moves towards creating a graduate early years workforce, which could have implications for training, pay and employment…

This study investigated the online practices of students enrolled in graduate-level distance education courses. Using interviews and a questionnaire as data sources, the study sought to: (a) identify common practices that students adopt in asynchronous discussions, and (b) gain an understanding of why students adopt them. An analysis of the data…

The study described here studied perspectives of mid-career teachers from minority and Anglo backgrounds on collaborative intellectual work and examined the ideologies underlying these perspectives. Analysis focused on the teachers' dialogical interaction in a small group (4 teachers) and a large group (28 teachers) in relation to immediate and…

This monograph describes results of focus group interviews with 48 regular and special education teachers in West Virginia concerning their experience with inclusion of students with disabilities in regular education classrooms. An introduction notes the trend toward greater inclusion of these students while providing needed special educational…

This paper presents a description and analysis of the work of a group of primary grade teachers who decided to study their practices and engage their students in inquiry. Their school was in a lower socioeconomic area with a multiethnic student body. The political nature of their work is documented via two themes that emerged from their work. The…

This article presents a conceptual framework for the research and practice of educational computer conferences that shifts the focus from the on-line messages being exchanged to the participants' engagement with the conference. This framework, known as the "Iceberg Metaphor" or the "Michigan Model of educational…

The purpose of this study was to create the portrait of a teacher educator implementing the case study method to determine what knowledge helps a teacher educator facilitate a case study discussion and what dilemmas teacher educators may encounter when teaching a case. Two portraits titled "Dealing With Discipline and Classroom Management…

A required course for elementary education majors at Santa Clara University (California), "Introduction to Teaching in a Multicultural Society," evolved during a 6-year period. The course moved from one with an emphasis on promoting equity, tolerance, and improved human relations through curriculum and instructional strategies to one…