This study used the Self-Consciousness Scale to test the hypothesis that socially anxious people could seek to avoid embarrassment and do poorly in small group discussions as a result. Those people high in private self-consciousness (lacking concern for social evaluation) would participate more in discussions. Findings supported the hypothesis.…

Examines the relationship between sex and sex- type and leadership in small discussion groups. Results indicate personality influences leadership only during initial group interaction. The best characterization of social and task leadership is via psychological sex type rather than biological sex. Suggests leadership style dogmatism and motivation…

Designed to help school speech and language clinicians who work with parents of handicapped children, the article provides suggestions on group leadership strategies. (CL)

Describes discussion group activities which foster student interaction. (DD)

Describes the use of electronic mail discussion lists for students in science methods courses as an attempt at ensuring that preservice teachers are able to use electronic educational technology in teaching science. (JRH)

Examines the extent to which talking helps learning in a convergent group discussion task, where the students' goal is to construct predetermined "true justified knowledge." Analyzes instances where the same group of Malaysian students, studying on a higher education program in the United Kingdom, both succeeded and failed to arrive at the truth.…

Presents an overview of the National Endowment for the Humanities sponsored Let's Talk about It Program. The intended audience is examined, the role of the scholar analyzed, and the special responsibilities of the discussion leader delineated. Results of the program are evaluated and suggestions for planning a program are offered. (six references)…

Presents study results examining social pressure within sexually homogenous groups. Explains that cohesiveness, based on common beliefs, was established in half of the sample while prevented in the remainder. Reports that groups were required to reach consensus after conflict was introduced. Concludes that low cohesion groups showed the greatest…

Discussion of how information technology affects higher education focuses on ethical dilemmas and creating appropriate policies and guidelines. The process of exercising discipline within a university community is considered, and one model of policy creation and community process that used facilitated discussions at the University of Michigan is…

Describes the United States Catholic Conference's "National Issues Forum in the Catholic Community" (NIFCC), a catechetical program designed to encourage Catholics to learn and exchange their views about issues of national concern (e.g., health care, abortion, day-care). Highlights responses to the forum and offers practical suggestions…

The Internet opens a wide range of possibilities for accessing materials on the Holocaust from both traditional sources and more volatile areas (personal homepages, e-mail, and discussion groups archives). Excerpts from accounts by one Hungarian and one Norwegian political prisoner are included as illustrations of material which may not have been…

Analyzes five fifth graders' talk about a historical fiction novel. Focuses on students' conversational competence within the three-week unit by examining their developing competence in sustaining topics and themes, taking the perspective of the "other," and developing content and theme understandings. Suggests that these abilities…

The Internet provides more than access to library catalogs, weather reports, and games. This article describes two categories of scholarly Internet resources: peer-reviewed electronic journals and academic discussion lists (also known as electronic conferences or newsgroups), explains how to access and subscribe, and discusses the advantages and…

Discusses uninhibited behavior in computer-mediated communication (CMC), or flaming, and describes a study that examined the social context in which flaming occurs by analyzing messages posted during one week to four Usenet social newsgroups that represented different national and cultural groups. Results confirm that social context is the primary…

This study investigated changing attitudes toward reading among elementary and secondary teacher candidates participating in in-class book group discussions in an introductory language and literacy course taught by two instructors in a medium-sized state teacher education program. Qualitative methods focused on both students' weekly self-reports…