This study used direct observation procedures to analyze communicative intent and subsequent frequency of turntaking between four adults with developmental disabilities and their residential staff. Results suggest that in group discourse, questioning-type speech may set the occasion for a greater number of subsequent conversational turns than does…

Discusses the use of electronic mail in higher education and describes discussion groups conducted via electronic mail in a graduate seminar at the University of Colorado at Denver. Topics addressed include front end technology logistics and support; group dynamics; student attitudes; and suggestions for future research. (Contains eight…

Examines the benefits of Decision Support Systems (DSS) for end-user group decision making. An experiment was conducted which required groups to reach a consensus on human resource-related decisions. The results of the experiment provide implications for the use of group DDS in organizations and for future study. (Author/AEF)

Discusses the important uses of Socratic seminars, exploratory intellectual conversations centered on a text and facilitated by the instructor, in critical thinking instruction. Indicates that Socratic seminars differ from discussions in that, whereas discussions feature debates leading to convergent thought patterns, seminars are based upon…

Discusses the practice of using consensus-building techniques to promote prosocial behavior and scholarship skills. Teachers can allow numerous students to raise their hand before calling on one, thus encouraging greater participation, and have students discuss problems among themselves and work out solutions. Argues that prosocial skills and…

At the beginning of each academic year, Shippensburg University (Pennsylvania) organizes small group book discussion sessions designed to draw freshmen into the academic culture and develop critical thought processes. Considerations in selecting books for discussion and in preparing for and orchestrating the sessions are outlined. Some unresolved…

Investigates the relationship between wait-time of Nigerian integrated science teachers in relation to the amount of students' participation in inquiry. Examines the relationship between wait-time and sociocultural attitudinal factors prevalent in traditional societies. The pedagogical and curricular implications of the results have been…

Describes the use of the children's book "Geraldine's Blanket" to promote discussion and allow the teacher to assess the children's understanding of area, place value, number sense, fractions, and problem-solving strategies. (MKR)

Modification mitigates negative feedback by immediately attempting to improve the feedback's level of acceptability. This article introduces modification as a group-leader skill necessary for the processing of messages containing both counterproductive and productive elements. Describes the value and application of modification in group work. (RJM)

The computer-mediated discussion list can be both a teaching tool and an evolving path of scholarly communication. A wide-ranging list of lists is provided that includes broad discussions of teaching effectiveness, news from a particular country, first drafts of scholarly articles, etc. Many stress target language use. (three references)…

Summarizes the research related to effective training approaches to teacher education. Describes an inservice program that incorporates the recommendations to improve teachers' questioning techniques. Recommends peer discussion and feedback among teachers to develop practical understanding of questioning techniques through analyzing their work.…

Describes the Online degree program at the University of Phoenix which recently graduated the first class of MBAs (Masters of Business Administration) to have obtained their degrees via this distance education program. Discussion of telecommunications includes descriptions of interactive group conferences and methods of measuring students'…

Analyzes some of the effects of advance organizers on text recall by seventh grade students. Finds that the advance organizer that allowed for oral presentation by the teacher with ensuing discussion resulted in the greatest and most resilient recall. Notes that discussion also affected scores. Shares teaching implications. (RS)

The study, with 55 mildly and moderately disabled elementary students, investigated the effectiveness of teacher-developed goals and monitoring systems versus a curriculum-based measurement (CBM) system and of individual expert versus group follow-up consultation. Groups employing CBM and group consultation generally out performed the other…

The teaching of physics principles by drawing examples from African students' surroundings in a cross-cultural environment is discussed. The concepts of pressure, center of gravity, and the action of salt on melting are described using examples that Nigerien students would understand. (KR)