This paper describes unique opportunities offered by the Internet for Japanese college students learning to write in English. It focuses on tasks that students were assigned using discussion forums on the Internet. It begins by describing the Web site, which is <http://www.esljapan.com>, looking at software considerations, privacy issues,…

A study circle is a group of diverse members of a community who meet with a facilitator to find common ground for solutions and actions. The Study Circles Resource Center proposes a program of Community-Wide Study Circles to talk about student success and develop ideas for action in the community and schools. This brochure provides a rational for…

This qualitative study investigated the role of the teacher in student-led literature circles by comparing the types of comments that students made when the teacher was and was not present. Comments were analyzed using specific Essential Academic Learning Requirements (Washington State, 1997) in reading and four other categories including text…

This paper details how a Learning Circle model provided faculty in a multi-program graduate department of education with a vehicle to reflect on their teaching, research practices, and the structure and design of their graduate programs. Through participation in the Learning Circle, faculty met weekly to discuss a common series of readings which…

This document describes a dialogue process that took place in Charleston, West Virginia, between and among district and school-level administrators, who are predominantly European American and African American community leaders. AEL, a federally funded regional educational laboratory, and the Kanawha County School District (where Charleston is…

Combining lecture and small group discussion sessions, the course is divided into 5 units each centered about one major concept designed for arriving at some general understanding of a dimension of the total society. Grading is on a semi-contractual basis allowing the student unlimited opportunity to achieve the grade desired as well as desired…

Several group projects are reviewed which suggest that group work, if well planned and continuous, can be a valuable tool for both trained teachers and counselors in their performance of the guidance and counseling functions, respectively. (CJ)

The author describes and analyzes the "dialogue workshop" as a major activity for facilitating cooperative communication and problem solving among students, teachers, and parents. This article is part of a theme issue on community education in Hawaii. (Editor/SJL)

The author argues that what many educators are failing to include in their high-tech plans is "emotionally charged, intellectually open-ended education." Describes technology-based courses (freshman composition, Internet-based learning groups, e-mail discussion groups, and "cyber-outward bound") that would satisfy intellect and…

Increasingly, college and university planners use "future searches" to find common ground on values, issues, and directions for innovative action. These intensive large group conferences bring together a cross-section of stakeholders, such as school leaders, parents, state education administrators, faculty, students, industry representatives, and…

Describes the Young Critics Club at Perrot Memorial Library in Old Greenwich, Connecticut, a forum for readers in grades 5-8. Lists rules for members, provides examples of critical responses, and describes two other youth book review boards. Also includes an annotated bibliography of guides for book discussion groups and top choice and honor books…

At the beginning of each academic year, Shippensburg University (Pennsylvania) organizes small group book discussion sessions designed to draw freshmen into the academic culture and develop critical thought processes. Considerations in selecting books for discussion and in preparing for and orchestrating the sessions are outlined. Some unresolved…

Literature circles are groups of three to eight students who have read the same (self-selected) story or novel and have gathered to discuss their reading. Discussions are teacher supported but student led, and they combine collaborative learning with independent reading. Teachers can use these small-group discussions to link reading, writing, and…

Reports a study that used focus group discussions to evaluate fifth graders' understanding of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) and acquired immunodeficiency syndrome before receiving HIV education. Results indicated students' conceptions about HIV were more naive than expected. The focus groups were effective in evaluating students' process of…