Describes the development and evaluation of coMentor, a virtual-learning environment that supports student discussion and debate through the World Wide Web, particularly for theoretical subjects. Discusses its use in an undergraduate philosophy course and reports results that indicate higher levels of learning among students who used the system.…

Recounts experiences of Brigham Young University student teachers in Mexican schools. Explores reasons for lack of interest in facilitating creativity, despite a rich culture. Discusses four positive changes occurring in Mexican education: (1) students allowed to write about their own topics; (2) open-ended questions and informal debates; (3)…

Describes software which was developed to help collaborating pupils test hypotheses. Discusses use of the software by 9-14 year-old pupils in Scotland, comparing their activity with that of similarly aged pupils who worked with otherwise equivalent software which lacked any prompts. (Author/AEF)

Describes how the parents of the author's fifth-grade students joined the literature circles in her classroom--either in person, through writing, or through recorded conversations. Notes that the literature discussions became richer and more sophisticated as families added layers of meaning to the context built in class. (SR)

Examines the use of four versions of narrative inquiry with preservice teachers: response to practicum experiences, responses to reading, small and large group discussions, and reflection papers. Each helps students explore narrative assumptions that contribute to their images of teaching, enabling them to explore unexamined parts of their…

Argues that reading and discussing novels in which females meet challenges can help adolescents examine critical issues girls face, and can help to counteract the dangerous and significant losses of confidence, voice, and self-esteem suffered by adolescent girls. Summarizes 10 books that can engage girls in dialogue around these issues, and offers…

Presents an exploratory case study with preservice teacher education students of an experience in collaborative discourse mediated through an educationally designed network-based application. Topics include computer mediated communication; text-based communication; small group discussion; and software design, including the design of IdeaWeb that…

Examined preservice teachers' situated understandings of teaching and learning and their developing voices using classroom stories and essays written before, during, and after their practicum experiences. The stories located students' voices in distinct ways and expressed growing awareness of classroom dynamics and the value of peer dialog in…

Presents lessons on artwork by William Zorach, Gary Chapman, Ben Shahn, and Rembrandt Van Rijn. States that the four artworks focus on specific views of motherhood, but can also serve as symbols for the relationships between (1) artists and their art and (2) educators and their students. (CMK)

A qualitative study examined the effects of a hypermedia program on diversity training completed by 65 undergraduate students. Results showed that when different types of implementation groups were utilized, discussion (considered vital to diversity training) only occurred on a regular basis in facilitated groups, and to a lesser degree in pair…

Describes the design of a biochemistry course that uses problem-based learning. Provides opportunities for students to question, dispute, confirm, and disconfirm their understanding of basic concepts. Emphasizes self-correction through dialogue. Topics covered include amino acids, metabolic pathways and inherited disease, proteins, enzymes and…

Presents observations of 15-member literature discussion group in a fifth-grade classroom. Shows that even in such groups, intended to create a more democratic forum where students' voices are heard and valued, factors like gender, cultural background, and status play a role in whose ideas get expressed and are actually listened to. (SR)

Paul Goble's children books can be used as the basis for discussion and activities to increase student awareness and respect for the Native American cultures, and as a link to learning activities in a variety of content areas. Topics for discussion and activities are suggested, Internet resources are provided, and books by Goble are listed. (AEF)

Argues that the young adult novel "Shabanu" by Suzanne Fisher Staples is a book that can capture students' interest, allow them to experience a strong female protagonist, address social issues around the roles of women, and provide teachers with a rich resource for discussing and cultivating positive views toward women. (SR)

Argues that because democracy, education, and discussion are interrelated and seek to promote human growth, ways must be found to involve children and adults in frequent discussions. Focuses on democratic education, including the barriers, functions of discussion, and dispositional ideals for classroom members. Concludes that discussion is an…