Discusses changes in the field of educational technology from a mechanistic to a more humanistic view, and highlights the importance of interpersonal skills through three studies conducted in the British Open University: one dealing with instructional development, one with the evaluation of teaching and teaching systems, and one with the fostering…

This discussion of underachievement in gifted high school males notes the high incidence of male underachievers and the common co-occurrence of poor social skills. Also considered are the beginnings of underachievement, the importance of the peer group in adolescent development, the importance of social skill development, and the prevention of…

A 1987 task force working on Michigan's Employability Skills Assessment Project recommended a portfolio approach to help students develop teamwork, personal management, and workforce readiness skills. Michigan's plan offers a chance for schools to integrate experiences in students' lives with school learning. Judith Schaftenaar's sidebar presents…

The combined effects of double-prompting and booster session procedures on the social behavior of four socially withdrawn preschool children were investigated. Results indicated that the intervention procedures increased subjects' initiations in organizing play, sharing, and assisting and that there were collateral increases in subjects'…

In today's world, the ability to work with others is essential, and cooperative learning can be a powerful teaching strategy to enhance interpersonal skills. The article describes nine essential steps for social skills success and discusses nonverbal and verbal social skills for group work. (SM)

Analysis of the social exchanges of 33 toddlers with developmental disabilities showed that more of the observation time was spent socially with mothers than with peers, and the number of turns per exchange was longer with mothers. However, toddlers initiated more social exchanges with peers than with mothers. Few changes were exhibited over time.…

Examined relationship between social behavior and self-concept among 41 fifth and sixth graders. Teachers rated students on School Social Behavior Scales (SSBS); students completed Self-Perception Profile for Children (SPPC). Found several significant positive relationships between Social Competence scores on SSBS and SPPC self-concept scores.…

In June 1991, U.S. Department of Labor issued the Secretary's Commission on Achieving Necessary Skills (SCANS) Report detailing the necessary competencies and foundations required for twenty-first-century workers. Because communications skills, critical thinking, work habits, interpersonal skills, and individual responsibility are as important as…

Asserts that positive relationships are essential for healthy lives and that special-needs students often lack sufficient social skills to form friendships. Claims that teachers and parents must assess the environments they create for children and must create opportunities to help these youth establish and maintain friendships. (MKA)

Today, K-12 schools urgently need change. Business administrators and principals both work in key leadership positions and must respond to current demands for higher standards and efficient spending. Both must share a clear picture of district goals, assume an interdependent attitude, and apply polished interpersonal skills in their work…

A study administered the Matson Evaluation of Social Skills for Individuals with Severe Retardation (MESSIER) and the Vineland Adaptive Behavior Scales (VABS) to 892 individuals with severe mental retardation residing in a residential state facility. Significant positive correlations were found between corresponding MESSIER subscales and VABS…

Argues that an important strategy used by international students in the adjustment process is to establish social relationships with other persons with a similar cultural background or nationality and form ethnic communities within the university context. Participation in such a community serves to buffer international students from problems…

Describes writing conferences as a productive supplement to classroom teaching, and examines teacher behavior and the language they employ during these conferences. Supports the idea that current findings in sociolinguistics could better inform classroom practices and increase awareness and understanding of the impact of "teacher talk." Contains…

The independent and relative influences of social discourse and social skills on problem behaviors were examined in 50 children with language learning disabilities (LLD) and 50 control children. Hierarchical regression analyses revealed that both impaired social discourse skills and poor social skills accounted for the negative effects of LLD on…

Differences were examined in parent ratings of social-emotional behavior among 64 preschool-aged children referred for child find screening and assessment and 64 preschool-aged typical children. The children who had been referred were found to have greater social skills deficits and problem behavior excesses than the comparison group. (Author/CR)