It was found that Ss in all conditions showed significant pretest to post-test performance increases on the telephone skills tasks--suggesting that, for skill development tasks with retarded adults, demonstration and verbal summaries may add little to the practice experience and that group delivery of training procedures is cost-effective.…

Describes a method whereby sixth-form students assist the language instructor by leading small groups in oral practice. (AM)

Explores how objectives of social education are negatively affected by the absence of equal status student relationships. Cites ambiguities in research studies related to sociometric status and examines the theory of status characteristics and expectation. Suggests research and development tasks for educators to use to promote equal status student…

If the instructor carefully plans for formation of small groups and the writing sessions, group writing in a business communications course offers such advantages as rapid feedback, peer response, and a variety of evaluative comments. Small group sessions in composing, evaluating, and synthesizing are described. (MF)

The authors developed a program to facilitate increased awareness of one's own sexuality as a basis for aiding others in that area. The program emphasizes small group participation in order to provide security to explore sexuality and its effects on interpersonal relationships. Overall response has been favorable. (Author)

SIMIG, self-instructional modules and interactive groups, designates a method of teaching and learning that has been evaluated over a seven-year period. Its two components, instructional modules and discussion groups, constitute a complementary process popular with students and instrumental in more effective learning. (LBH)

A study investigated a computer-based testing method in an anatomic pathology course within a new, modular, systems-oriented medical curriculum at the University of Otago (New Zealand). Students (n=193) completed five biweekly criterion-referenced, computer-based quizzes incorporating digitized photographs and varied question formats. Results…

Three elementary students with mental retardation were taught math facts during small group instruction in a regular classroom, using unrelated instructional feedback (sight word vocabulary cards). Results found that all students learned their targeted stimuli, some of their unrelated stimuli, and some of their peers' target stimuli through…

This article describes the Life Skills program used to improve the social skills of 12 students with learning disabilities in an Israeli middle school. Each of two groups (girls or boys) met weekly for 5 months to address social skills topics. The article notes gender differences in reactions and participation, and outcomes in such areas as…

Compares the effects of two types of small-group instruction on retention and application of gastroenterology knowledge during a gastroenterology pathophysiology course taught to 198 second-year medical students. Concludes that the specific format of small-group instruction appears to have little impact on retention or application of…

A business course at the University of Ulster uses groupwork, presentations, and self- and peer-assessment methods. Evaluation by 26 students revealed that they enjoyed groupwork but were uncomfortable with self- and peer assessment. It is suggested that ways to overcome this discomfort should be found because of the need to give and receive…

Describes a compulsory first-year management course for 250 students designed as an independent learning class, and discusses the results of student surveys conducted in class and one year later. Concludes that while results show an increase in effective learning strategies for independent learning students, a minority did not respond positively.…

A study examined the effects of pullout small-group and teacher-directed classroom-based social skills instruction on antisocial behaviors of five third- and fourth-grade students at risk for emotional or behavioral disorders. Results indicated moderate reduction in antisocial behaviors during small-group social skills instruction. (Contains…

Considers how to meet the challenge of providing students in large college courses with effective library instruction and describes librarian cooperation with faculty in the development of a Web tutorial and supplementary course materials to deliver library instruction. Explains how the tutorial was incorporated into the class syllabus and…

Reviews the studies on which a meta-analysis by Springer, Stanne, and Donovan (1999) were based; the meta-analysis had concluded that small group learning in science, mathematics, engineering, and technology education is effective. Concludes that the meta-analysis' call for more widespread implementation of small group learning is not supported.…