A telephone survey of 90 advisors to self-advocacy groups identified a wide array of advisor activities and gained information on how advisors see their activities changing as groups develop. Results are interpreted in terms of theories of group development. Results suggest that, instead of rigid stages of group development, a more flexible model…

Tested the ability of 154 female candidates to two Israeli educational programs to rate each other on oral communication, human interaction, and leadership skills compared to assessments of their skills by professional assessors. There were high correlations between professional and participant ratings; professional ratings were significantly…

Metaphors are guiding images that influence one's approach to problem solving. Experiential learning is a process of metaphor change; the task of educators is to facilitate development of new metaphors that generate new potential when old metaphors don't work. Discusses stages of metaphor development, creating an open learning space, and…

Issues relating to library association staff roles and responsibilities are explored. Reasons for their sometimes conflicting relationships with member volunteers are examined. Suggestions and recommendations for promoting effective use of these valuable partners on the association scene are offered. (Author/AEF)

The transformational leadership style, in which power is delegated to participants who then work to their capacity to complete required tasks, is appropriate for all people to combat the current tendency to consume experiences without developing responsibility or commitment. A model of personal growth through adventure is outlined. (SAS)

Effective adventure programming is explained in terms of the "significant learning" experience, involving periods of tension, questioning, and transfer during personal and social learning. Adventure programming that is supportive, adaptive, and properly sequenced maximizes the potential of significant learning. Trust- and…

Compares the development of self-esteem and psychological well being in clients who participated in an experimental course on group process with those who did not participate. Results suggest that clients who were taught group process showed greater increases along these variables. Discusses the implications for the importance of helping clients…

Reports results from a study of university students in Sweden that investigated aspects of communicative processes using face-to-face and computer-mediated communication. Examined influences of gender on communication equality, social relations, and communicative processes and studied differences in self-awareness. Results showed few significant…

Reprints an article originally published in 1951. Argues that the group method should not be foisted on young teachers as the only way to teach. Notes that the group method requires a great deal of preparation and much teacher direction. Suggests that smart teachers will continue to use a variety of teaching methods. (RS)

Studied the social interaction of 7- and 9-year-olds working in the same or mixed gender pairs on language-based computer and noncomputer tasks. At both ages, mixed gender pairs showed more assertive and less transactive (collaborative) interaction than same gender pairs on both tasks. Discusses the mediational role of the computer and the social…

Presents five group problem-solving initiatives for use in adventure and experiential settings, focusing on conflict resolution, corporate workplace issues, or adjustment to change. Includes target group, group size, time and space needs, activity level, overview, goals, props, instructions, and suggestions for framing and debriefing the…

Describes the "sociological imagination," which suggests an ability to create possible reconstructions of larger social forces which affect peoples' lives, through a story about Muhammad Ali. Discusses the importance of stories and their role in society. Utilizes three more stories to address various issues in relation to literacy…

A camp's culture must be established in a way that maximizes the opportunities to fulfill the camp's highest priority goals and objectives. A camp director describes how his staff training emphasizes building relationships, a sense of community, and experiencing camp activities. Skill practice, safety management, policies, procedures, and…

Asserts that principals can improve student learning by sharing the leadership of instruction with teachers and parents thereby building leadership capacity. Describes characteristics of schools with high leadership capacity. Provides examples of building leadership capacity through the use of study groups, action-research teams, and leadership…

Describes the techniques and challenges of processing learning activities in various contexts: large group or whole class, cooperative group or small learning team, and individually. Guidelines for teachers include: stay focused, listen and wait, identify goals, vary processing methods, affirm experiences and feelings, and seize teachable moments.…