Cooperative learning is a generic classroom technique that requires students to work and talk together about academic material while learning effective interpersonal skills. This packet, prepared in conjunction with the Minnesota School Effectiveness Program, describes the benefits of cooperative learning and defines its critical attributes,…

As increasing numbers of undergraduate students in higher education are engaging in online group discussions as part of their course work, there is a need to gain insights into the nature of the experience of learning in this new context. Previous studies have reported benefits for students who engaged in online discussions, but few describe these…

Three exercises have been developed to help participants experience and analyze the effects of seating arrangements on interpersonal communication. The exercises have been used in classes for college students and for federal and municipal employees. This paper discusses the objectives of the exercises and provides detailed instructions for…

This investigation assessed the importance of orientation behavior on group consensus and the individual satisfaction of participants. Students in four sections of an introductory speech course rated each classmate on a seven-point scale according to orientation behavior as manifested in the ability to resolve conflict, reinforce agreement,…

This study examined the effects of three modes of story reconstruction training on the development of children's story comprehension. One hundred and eight children in grades K to 2 were randomly assigned to one of three training conditions: thematic-fantasy play, adult lead discussion, or drawing. The children were read three books on separate…

Four treatment conditions were selected for a study examining the effects of immediate video feedback of oral assignments on group discussants' self-perceived anxiety, participants' satisfaction, and discussion quality. The subjects were 80 students enrolled in basic speech and business/professional speech communication courses. Twenty subjects…

A basic speech course required of prospective teachers seeking admission to the University of Hawaii's College of Education is described in the first half of this paper. The described course focuses on interviewing, group discussion, and public speaking skills. The second half of the paper presents complete descriptions of four assignments that…

This paper addresses the problem of college students' consumption of alcoholic beverages. A brief look at student-oriented alcohol education programs developed by university student personnel administrators is followed by a description of "My Brother's Keeper" (MBK), one fraternity's approach to alcohol abuse prevention for its 10,000…

The possible difference in the performance on a mid-term and final exam between students taking a quasi-individualized mastery method of instruction and students having traditional lecture-discussion instruction was studied. A second issue examined was the difference between the proportion of students expressing a preference for one method of…

This teacher's guide contains short-term activities aimed at expanding K-6 grade students' awareness of attitudes concerning traditional sex-role stereotyping. Subject areas are language arts, social studies, career education, mathematics, and physical education. Activities are divided into 10-20 minute, 20-40 minute, and 40 minute plus…

The learning module described here provides systematic training for secondary school teachers and students in discussion skills. The content focuses on techniques to facilitate reflective, open inquiry into controversial issues. Methods of setting up and running workshops in group discussion are described. Information is provided on the purposes…

The Structured Discussion Approach (SDA) is a continuing inservice program in which faculty members mutually decide upon and attempt to solve common instructional problems. The five steps in the SDA are: identify the major instructional problems felt by the faculty, discuss with the faculty the framework behind the SDA, prepare for the outside…

This study employs a time-series analysis of naturalistic developmental functioning to describe characteristics of transition in social development. A special education classroom of eight preadolescents, ages 11 and 12, provided subjects for this study. Transitional patterns in social cognitive development were studied in children's…

A TRAINING PROGRAM FOR DROPOUTS MUST TEACH NOT ONLY SKILLS BUT SHOULD ALSO IMPART A SET OF SOCIAL AND ESTHETIC VALUES THAT PROVIDE A REASON FOR EARNING A LIVING. THE DEPRIVED BACKGROUND OF DROPOUTS FOSTERS ANTISOCIAL, ANTI-INTELLECTUAL, AND ANTICULTURAL ATTITUDES. EXPOSURES TO CULTURAL ACTIVITIES ALONE IS INSUFFICIENT TO ALTER DEEPLY ENTRENCHED…