Presents three activities that prepare students for matching up with spelling partners, carrying out partner quizzes, and scoring partner quizzes. A sidebar provides tips for making partner quizzes work. (SM)

A simulation game involved 163 employees working in self-managed teams. Given incentives, participants with external locus of control (LOC) outperformed other "externals" who did not have incentives. Persons with internal LOC were more satisfied with their supervisors than were externals. (SK)

A new Minnesota school has succeeded in translating a noble, inclusive vision into reality. Asked to evaluate the school's first year, staff identified several accomplishments: presence of family-like communities of learners; focus on meeting individual special-education needs within these communities; celebration of diversity as a strength to…

Summarizes a 5-year study examining the implementation of interdisciplinary teaching teams in middle-level settings and teachers' attitudes toward teaming practices. Although teachers' attitudes fluctuated, the agreement level never fell below 72%. Teachers are attracted to interdisciplinary teaming and seem to retain their positive views as they…

Ralph Parish and Frank Aquila's article in the same "Kappan" issue has admirable equity concerns but offers little advice for inner-city principals trying to convince their staffs that all children can and should learn at high levels. Getting more and more students to a solid competency level is a challenge that will involve expert teamwork and…

An individual's participation in school can be analyzed on four levels--the individual, the team, interteam coordination, and management of the school's interaction with the environment. These levels represent different intensities of participation and degrees of complexity in an individual's commitment. This paper explores each level and…

Empowered technology teams can help realize the financial investment of schools in technology. Teams foster communities of technology users and give teachers and staff opportunities for leadership. A transformational leadership style is essential to the building of a human infrastructure that will use the technological infrastructure. (KS)

Revisions to nursing job descriptions in a hospital necessitated a leadership development program focused on reflective practice and clinical supervision. Nurses surveyed recognized improved performance in their supervisors in leadership skills and understanding of the role of senior clinical nurse. (SK)

Presents an inquiry activity in which students design a solar cooking apparatus. Students are also asked to write a paragraph that explains the ways in which science knowledge helped them in the design of their cooker. Includes a grading rubric. (SOE)

Students in an interdisciplinary business course (n=330) worked in teams on 3 modules and completed 3 peer evaluations. An evaluation system that provided specific feedback at early and multiple points during group projects helped reduce the problem of free riding and improved student perceptions of group work. (Contains 23 references.) (SK)

Rural schools by structure and philosophy match the expectations and description of a learning community. Establishing a learning community in a rural school can create an atmosphere that encourages committed educators to grow through trust, respect, and collegiality. Recommendations are given for establishing high quality, ongoing professional…

Evaluated the usefulness of peer interaction on the development of professional knowledge among prospective secondary mathematics teachers. Data gathered from following two students involved in a teamed, field-based practicum over 11 weeks indicated that peer collaboration and collaborative reflection helped facilitate teacher development. Peers…

Presents a consultative model designed for providing behavioral supports to children with challenging behaviors. A rationale for the formation of behavioral support teams within school settings and strategies for promoting the on-going use of such a model are provided. The training of team members is also addressed. (Author/CR)

Analyzes the stories of three teachers/teacher teams who participated in a grant program designed to empower teachers to integrate technology in the classroom. Instead of experiencing empowerment, the teachers/teams experienced alienation. Two sources of alienation were: resources obtained by teachers through grant acquisition disrupted the…

Describes a study that explored learning in a Web-based online MBA (Masters of Business Administration) program and the structures necessary to support and enhance learning from the perspective of the learners. Findings indicated that the collaborative nature of the teamwork required provided major benefits as well as challenges for the students.…