The effectiveness of assertiveness training discussion group parenting programs with center-city and suburban parents was evaluated. All parents showed a significant pre- to posttest decrease in restrictiveness on Block's Child Rearing Practices Report, regardless of group membership. A significantly greater change was noted for center city…

Compared traditional classroom lectures with videotapes prepared by faculty, small group discussion with videotapes, and student conducted family interviews with videotapes prepared by students. Results showed increases in scores on all methods, but no significant differences between the three teaching methods. (Author/BEF)

Whether individual study of risk problems (familiarization) leads to greater risk taking was investigated. Subjects (N=160) in groups of five or alone developed arguments in favor of the successful risky outcome in six Choice Dilemma problems. Groups may be more efficient than individuals in developing arguments favoring culturally valued…

A method of curriculum evaluation developed in the Faculty of Medicine at the University of Manitoba and used successfully for four years is described. The small-group discussion technique was applied to the pilot Curriculum Evaluation Seminar (CES), which both faculty and a majority of students have found to be an important evaluation method.…

Advocates that dialogue is a tool that transforms those that are involved in it and that it can create or improve relationships. Claims that Catholic schools should teach students how to have effective dialogue skills. Gives seven suggestions on how Catholic schools can change the status quo by nurturing dialogue. (MZ)

Books and online discussion groups encourage youth to develop strong narrative voices. Includes an annotated bibliography of books and Internet sites dealing with discovering the self and others; exploring race, culture, archeology, technology, war, poverty, gender and urban problems; creating and critiquing stories; and publishing industry…

Drawing on students' experiences, examines ways that Electronic Discussion Lists (EDLs) can enhance a sense of community on a college campus. Provides a brief history of electronic mail and discussion groups and outlines the uses of EDLs, such as its effectiveness in voicing complaints and in clarifying values. (RJM)

Describes a literature discussion group consisting of eleven social studies representatives involved in a discussion of children's multicultural literature and articles. Focuses on story as a resource for exploring diversity and for sharing personal experiences and responses with others. Includes the discussion group's schedule and a list of…

Reports on results of offering face-to-face discussions to students in a computer-based introductory psychology course. Authors found scant research on the inclusion of discussion in computer-based classes. Of 210 students registered in the class, only 17 indicated an interest in extra-credit discussion sessions. Participants' course outcomes…

Focuses on a nationally run reading and discussion program called "Let's Talk about It" as an example of the kind of community outreach program that universities could employ to the mutual advantage of institutions and the public that they serve. (RS)

Describes "community meetings" in early childhood classrooms, designed to create an intentional community devoted to learning to live with and consider the perspectives of others. Discusses how meetings work, community meeting and the topic of exclusion, students' learning about themselves, awareness as a kind of solution, airing a…

Discusses the value of cooperative learning in higher education and presents a case study of how Towson University used computer technology to develop a Web-based project that allowed students to collaborate across disciplines. Describes the use of online discussion groups, multimedia, and hypertext to facilitate cooperative learning and…

At Mount Royal College (Alberta), the perceptions of enrolled college students are seen as an important part of academic program review, but identification of appropriate scheduling of meetings may be difficult. The solution found was to obtain faculty assistance in selecting students and to schedule focus groups as breakfast meetings, which…

This article takes a look at tech guru Will Richardson's new book, "Blogs, Wikis, Podcasts, and Other Powerful Web Tools for Classrooms." Whether it's blogs or wikis or RSS, all roads now point to a Web where little is done in isolation. The biggest, most sweeping change in the people's relationship with the Internet may not be as much the ability…

Working within a theoretical framework of sociocultural theory, with a particular focus on the construct of scaffolding, this five and a half month qualitative study explored the ways in which one third-grade teacher supported students' move towards literature discussion groups. Data sources including expanded field notes, video and audiotape…