Examines whether self-reported scores on a measure of self-monitoring would be related to leader emergence in student groups working on realistic, sustained projects. Reveals a low but significant correlation between self-monitoring and leader emergence and a negligible relationship in the overall sample but a significant moderate correlation in a…

Campers will be active and will test their limits; behavior problems are inevitable. If the reason for the behavior can be identified, it can be dealt with much more easily. Discusses seven roots of behavior problems, and what to do when campers violate the rules. A sidebar presents 21 strategies for dealing with challenging behavior. (TD)

Adventure therapy infuses experiential, physical activity into traditional talk therapy, drawing support from Piaget's theory that children construct knowledge from their actions on the environment. Several vignettes illustrate the point, noting the importance of laughter and physical touch to therapy. Using ropes for a "touch without…

Advances an "outsider within" perspective describing the ways that traditionally marginalized group members communicate in mainstream organizational settings. Explicates the process by which different cocultural group members come to adopt one or more communication orientations while interacting within dominant organizations. States the…

For 345 Asian participants in adventure learning, the cultural value of collectivism was negatively related to changes in task participation and social support. Changes in these two teamwork attitudes predicted similar changes in team spirit and organizational identification. Adventure learning might produce higher attitude changes in Western…

Discusses cooperative learning in second- and foreign-language learning. The article offers a working definition of cooperative learning accompanied by examples of cooperative activities easy to incorporate into everyday teaching routines. Arguments and counterarguments regarding the strengths and weaknesses of cooperative learning are presented.…

Presents an abstract of a planned session on teaching knowledge management, including knowledge management for information professionals; differences between teaching knowledge management in library schools and in business schools; knowledge practices for small groups; and current research. (LRW)

Investigates interactive processes among group partners and the relationship of these processes to problem-solving outcomes in two contrasting groups. Identifies three major contrastive dimensions in group interaction: (1) he mutuality of exchanges; (2) the achievement of joint attentional engagement; and (3) the alignment of group members' goals…

A loose group of individuals working on a task differs from an effective team on nine factors: clearly defined goals, priorities, roles and responsibilities, self-awareness, leadership, group dynamics, communications, content, and infrastructure. Ways to eliminate barriers and speed formation of effective teams could be based on those factors.…

Two graduate student groups (n=7 and n=6) used both computerized groups support systems and traditional methods to complete collaborative tasks. The progress and stages of development of one group was erratic, whereas the other evolved into a high-performance group. Technology reduced some group conflict but had little impact on group development.…

Predictors of the performance of 107 student case teams in a management course were analyzed. Satisfaction with the team was significantly related to team structure. Team structure and spirit were significantly and positively related to project grade; social support was negatively related to grade. (Contains 47 references.) (SK)

Describes problems the author experienced with disfunctionality in student group projects. Describes how she implemented informal and formal peer reviews throughout the term in these groups, which has helped short-circuit disfunctionality, improve student productivity, and help the instructor form a fairer overall assessment. (SR)

Teachers, instructional designers, and corporate trainers pursuing graduate degrees in education participated in small-group collaborative activity in an asynchronous online graduate course. A group charter, which provided structure for group evolution and collaboration, was a powerful element in success. Proactive and reactive means of nurturing…

Explores what happens in senior medical student group sessions when students bring their own cases to the groups for discussion. Suggests that most groups run on a case-presentation and discussion format and that students want tutors to act as expert resources and be flexible in allowing students to direct the discussion. (Author/MM)

Findings of a study of 10 graduate student sin an online course conducted via computer conferencing included (1) the need to familiarize participants with software and ensure access; (2) differences in online and face-to-face communication and participation; and (3) the need for careful structuring and attention to detail in online courses.…