The goal of this paper is to show how experience transcends subject-matter planning. Indeed, there is a paradox in planning authentic experiences; hence the word "quasi-authentic" in the title. Subject matters are defined here as disciplinary genres. They are integrated into a new framework for semiotic research into disciplinary…

This paper presents the individual narratives of five participants in a writer's support group in the Department of Teacher Education at the University of Dayton (Ohio). Participants were new faculty in tenure track positions. Each participant's narrative describes her reasons for joining the group and the ways in which the group has helped her…

School board members' perceptions of the socialization process involved in the learning and development of their roles are described in this report. Methodology involved indepth interviews with 28 school board members from two rural and three suburban public school districts in Pennsylvania and New York, document analysis, and observation.…

A study used discussion, role playing, writing, observation and evaluation to assess students' understanding of humanistic values as experienced in three pieces of dramatic literature. Subjects, a selected group of 14 eleventh-grade students enrolled in a creative and performing arts magnet school in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, used "Our…

A study described student evaluations of an assignment in a course in family communication that required writing and performing (in small groups) a personal family narrative. Of the 43 students sent questionnaires asking for their reactions to the assignment, 40 returned completed questionnaires. Content analysis of the responses to the assignment…

To investigate differences in social behavior between learning disabled (LD) and non-learning disabled (NLD) children in different size groups and to examine the association between children's social behavior and acceptance by their peers, a study was conducted of 44 LD and 50 NLD boys and 7 LD and 13 NLD girls from fourth, fifth, and sixth grade…

This paper focuses on the Chicana in academe using a framework that considers the academic environment and the dialectic influences that contribute to the dynamics of group interactions, social positioning, and philosophical considerations of dimensions which may promote or deter the important interactions for professional growth and intellectual…

With philosophic and theoretical emphases on group learning and individual empowerment, adult education is ideally suited for cooperative learning, particularly in areas such as adult basic education and English as a second language where learners are culturally, linguistically, and academically diverse. Small group learning, with its attendant…

In an age of increasing emphasis on accountabiltiy and evaluation of clinical practice, professionals are questioning and examining varying processes of self evaluation. This paper describes the clinical peer group model as an evaluative process which offers its members an opportunity to receive evaluative feedback and emotional support about…

Qualitative research is based on the direct observation of human activity and interaction in an ongoing, naturalistic fashion. Qualitative researchers are concerned with the internal life of schools; what is really occurring in classrooms, corridors, cafeterias, and playgrounds. Qualitative researchers look at what people ordinarily take for…

Behavioral scientists maintain that a board-superintendent relationship thrives only within a total organization that is sound and healthy. To develop such an organization, agreement should be reached at the onset on what exactly is board policy and prerogative and what is in the administrative domain. A board must develop its goals with the…

Two experienced family therapists discuss therapeutic style, involvement, techniques, methods, handling of sexual material, use of self and of cotherapists in family sessions. Issues, relating to the first session, family fights sessions, types of families, family systems, and termination are also detailed. (Author)

The author discusses the reactions and feelings black participants in T-groups experience. He suggests that integration of intellectualizing with emotional expression and using a common simple language would provide a more productive experience for black participants in groups. (SE)

Penn State York has a history of collaboration with the York community. The campus became involved in two university-community collaborative efforts to identify and take action to resolve living and learning needs of children and teachers in York County. This article presents stories of two initiatives, and the lessons that emerged from reflection…

Cooperative learning is a teaching strategy that promotes the positive interaction of children in small, heterogeneous groups. Each group contain three or four students of varying achievement levels, backgrounds, socio-economic status, and sex. Cooperative learning processes promote student motivation, build group skills, foster social and…