Examines the language of writing groups at fifth, eighth, and eleventh grade levels to determine what students say when they critique one another's work. Analysis of idea units revealed that the highest proportion focused on the content of writing. The rubric for coding ideas is appended. (HOD)

Examined the skill and gender of individual group discussants and the sex composition of the group as factors potentially influencing perceptions of emergent leadership. Confirmed that task competence, more than gender, was crucially related to an individual's emergence as the group's leader. (PD)

Results confirm the hypotheses that performance/self-esteem has a substantial impact on an individual's chances of being perceived as a group's emergent leader, his or her ratings by other group members and trained observers on key leadership variables, and his or her self-assessment as a group participant. (PD)

The laboratory method has institutionalized itself in the larger social system, and an investigation of how this came about provides an important case study of social intervention. Uses of the method's intrinsic "change-agent" concept are illustrated, and particular aspects of the growth of the movement are examined. (Author)

Insights into the handling of problems in teacher education are offered with emphasis on performance criteria and open evaluation as well as the development of better interpersonal relations. (Editor/LBH)

Reviewed are a variety of instructional materials in the areas of language arts, English as a foreign language, and class management; and appropriate for use by administrators or teachers of learning disabled children. (DB)

Many children with emotional and behavioural difficulties behave well in a one-to-one situation with an adult. It is when they are in a group with their peers that their behaviour deteriorates dramatically. The more teachers understand about group dynamics, the better equipped they will be to support children who find such skills as turn-taking…

The increased use of group work in teaching and learning has seen an increased need for knowledge about assessment of group work. This report considers exploratory research where the SOLO Taxonomy, previously used to analyse the quality of individual responses, is applied to group responses. The responses were created as part of an activity…

To help special education planning teams reach agreements, several State Education Agencies (SEAs) provide the option of facilitated Individualized Education Program (IEP) meetings. The use of externally facilitated IEP meetings is growing nationally. When relationships between parents and schools are strained, facilitated meetings may be…

Creating a safe place in which to learn is vital to providing all students with equal opportunity. The Caring Classroom is a model for using adventure techniques to create a classroom community. It begins at the formation stage of group development by addressing cooperation issues such as using put-ups instead of put-downs, using active listening,…

Student leaders reap many benefits and rewards as a result of their involvements with campus organizations. In addition to enjoying the respect of their peers, they have opportunities to meet a variety of faculty, staff and students, exposing them to a range of different personalities and cultures. They typically grow in self confidence and…

This book, written for trainers as well as for persons who occasionally provide training in a work setting, is organized in three parts. Each fact is individual, although there is some cross-referencing. "Running Staff Training Groups" focuses on the way in which trainers can use action learning methods such as role play to impart their…

This paper describes a collaborative approach toward preventing and intervening in abusive behaviors among youth. Outdoor leaders may be caught off guard by abusive behavior during outdoor courses and may be uncertain how to work with groups in which such behavior is the norm. The concept of "dominant discourse" is useful for…

This paper presents an exercise which serves as an addition to public speaking courses. Showing students how to uncover the speech patterns that shape their lives allows them to appreciate the importance of speech communication in their lives. In the exercise, groups analyze speeches and report their findings to the class. The exercise improves…

This packet consists of eight learning activities related to employability skills for the middle school level. It contains several seasonal ideas intended for use throughout the year at the appropriate time. The activities include completing a schedule with activities and responsibilities for a one-month period; preparing for an interview; making…