This paper reports findings in a study of an e-mail discussion activity in an undergraduate methods course. Students were asked to contribute an e-mail message to the class discussion at least once every two weeks; they could write on any topic suggested by their field experiences or related class discussions and readings. Critical interpretative…

The purpose of this exploratory experimental study was to examine how online cognitive facilitation that promotes cognitive presence, while keeping facilitator's social presence constant, affects student learning and satisfaction in an online community of inquiry. In this context, we explored the following questions: (1) Does online high cognitive…

The need to relate classroom instruction to a child's understanding of himself and his relationship with other people has stimulated a teaching project which offers continuity and meaning to factual learning. (JB)

The study of consumer education at J. R. Rightsell Elementary School in Little Rock, Arkansas, was geared to meet the economic levels of poverty-level families and some better-than-average families in a predominantly black, low income area. (Author/NL)

A five-year experience with process-oriented discussion groups at annual four-day, off-campus retreats attended by University of Maryland School of Medicine students, faculty, and "significant others" is reported. Questionnaires sent to participants after the retreats indicated significant satisfaction with them. (Author/MLW)

Discusses the role of the tutorial as a teaching method suitable for developing a student's verbal skills of discussion, questioning, and group interaction, and describes a study which measured active student participation in tutorials. Strategies by which tutors can increase this participation are suggested. (EAO)

Career orientation rap sessions provide the opportunity for severely physically handicapped adolescents to talk to people with similar interests and experiences. The handicapped adult discussion leader shares personal experiences to encourage the adolescents to find what works for them. (SEW)

A case study of the type of educational experience provided in a seminar for student teachers is discussed. Inspired by a humanistic philosophy, the seminar did, at times, play a liberalizing and creative role. Most discussions, however, focused on utilitarian problems encountered in the students' teaching. (PP)

Describes four components of a packet of materials designed for small-group discussions on alphafetoprotein (AFP) screening for neural tube defects. Components consist of instructional guidelines for group leader, informational packet on AFP, list of specific discussion questions, and student evaluation form. Copies of these materials are…

A research study into the effects of educational television on British secondary school pupils investigated the attitude changes and other effects resulting from follow-up activities such as discussions and essay writing. Results showed that follow-up activities stimulate pupils to become more open and tentative and less dogmatic. (EAO)

Two brief scales were proposed to assess effectiveness of teaching in laboratory and seminar/discussion group classes. (Author)

Analysis of high school discussion classes revealed no "male dominance" in the rate of participation or weight of contribution. On all indices, males and females participated in proportion to their numbers in class. Differences in participation did not appear to be the result of sociocultural traits. (Author/PP)

Describes the Colonial Junto organized by Benjamin Franklin in 1727 as a discussion club to debate politics, morals, and natural philosophy, and the later American Philosophical Society which extended (and continues) the subject knowledge. The present-day Junto Center for Continuing Education in Philadelphia is an adult education information…

High school discussion classes were tape-recorded and the duration of student utterances timed. No significant difference was observed between response to teacher questions and response to declarative statements. Response to questions appeared unrelated to selected characteristics of classroom, teacher, and student. The efficacy of teacher…