Through lively discussions of specially selected texts, students of diverse abilities often discover that they can learn a lot from one another. The Touchstones Project in a Baltimore (Maryland) middle school features group discussion of classical texts. (Author/TE)

Discusses the use of role plays in training for human communication skills, sales skills, and management skills. Rules for the application of role plays are given, steps in designing role plays are described, typical role play structures are explained, and materials for instructors and participants are discussed. (LRW)

A study investigated the effect of computer-mediated communication, or computer conferencing, on traditional gender-based differences in discussion participation, including patterns in turn-taking, perceptions of the kinds of contributions made by men and women, and actual contributions made. Continued potential for gender imbalance is found. (MSE)

Describes an activity in which students participate in an unsupervised three-hour adventure-based learning expedition in the urban core of Hamilton (Ontario). Explains objectives and parameters, and presents nine tasks to be performed. Discusses students' reactions to the urban community exploration in debriefing, including the activity's positive…

Assesses the effectiveness of a teambuilding intervention among a group of department leaders. Finds that, three years after the intervention began, group members reported an increase in ability to raise issues and manage conflict; increases in mutual praise, support, and cooperation; clarification of roles and responsibilities; and a long-term…

The Electric Maze is an interactive learning device that promotes group learning skills among management teams. It provides a "practice field" where participants can explore and apply the principles of effective teamwork under realistic conditions of uncertainty, discomfort, and mistakes. This training aims to enable management teams to…

A study comparing the influence of the belayor on the development of trust between rock-climbing partners in a corporate adventure training program found that permitting clients to belay each other greatly enhanced the development of trust, as opposed to employing specialized technicians or facilitators for belaying. (LP)

Discusses four objectives that guided the design of the teaching and learning areas of the Language Learning and Resource Center of the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. These objectives are classrooms contiguous to the language lab, accommodation of small-group work, a flexible facility, and access to the outside world. (CK)

Describes the development of the Multidimensional Audioconferencing Classification System (MACS), an instrument for the tabulation, analysis, and interpretation of audioconferencing instructional interactions. MACS draws on three theoretical and empirical streams: (1) systematic small group interaction analysis; (2) systematic classroom…

Discusses a study examining the perspectives of three gifted middle school students on peer-led discussions and on each other. Highlights issues of voice, gender, interruption, and empowerment. (SR)

Presents a five-step model for organizing instruction to focus on using the second language for real-life communication. These steps are listening to the spoken language, learning how the language works, building skills, role playing, and speaking in real-life situations. The teacher's role is to ask for more precise effort from the students. (CK)

Examined conversations among a group of kindergarten girls who used the school-defined task of writing to maintain social cohesion in their peer social interactions. Because of the genres and form of their writing, they were able to use the writing to further individual status aspirations, which created tensions within the group. (42 references)…

When a male student enrolled, a university program designed to prepare counselors for helping women experienced problems in terms of other students' feelings of safety and trust in sharing experiences, qualitative differences in topics discussed, and use of experiential learning drawn from women's life experiences. (SK)

Describes a study that measured preschoolers' use of microcomputers in the following areas: (1) efficiency of use of input devices, including the keyboard, the joystick, and the mouse; (2) use during free-play activities, including interaction with the microcomputer and with each other; and (3) gender differences. (40 references) (LRW)

Reports on a pilot study in which a proposed design model was developed to characterize intergroup communication among designers, developers, and users. Design roles, themes, and networks based on two histories of design situations are described for several design phases; and future work is suggested. (24 references) (LRW)