The Adult Numeracy and Mathematics On-Line (ANAMOL) project investigated the use of online technology as a medium for professional discussion, networking, and collaboration among a small group of isolated adult numeracy practitioners in Australia. After investigation of several methods of online communication, freeware was selected because, in…

This descriptive study has two phases. The first phase describes the mechanism for online collaboration. The second phase quantifies collaborative interaction. The coding design was partially based on ProjectH, a research study from 1992-94 involving a large number of collaborators from several countries who worked together to study worldwide…

Using the example of Taking a Stand in Cyberspace, the authors articulate issues confronting school, community, and higher education groups as they create online discussions geared to deepen the level of student discourse about literature. Through a collaboration between the Vermont Center for the Book, the WEB Project, and six Vermont schools,…

This article describes two techniques for using debate as an instructional method with undergraduate and graduate students in a health occupations teacher education program. Faculty and students involved with the debate process enjoy the debate method and find it encourages independent study, group discussion, and leadership development. (Author)

Presents moral development as consisting of reasoning and action. Analyzes it from the perspective of small-group processes and behaviors. Discusses the bureaucratic and authoritarian nature of the school system and suggests it mitigates against moral behavior and reasoning. Concludes that schools should promote moral education toward action.…

Describes the application of the Piaget-based learning cycle technique for teaching an introductory organic chemistry course. Explains the step-by-step process used to convert a lecture course into a discussion-based active learning course. A learning cycle provides students with concrete material and aids them in understanding abstract concepts…

Presents accounts from primary teachers as they worked toward fostering questioning. Techniques included providing good stimuli for questions, having students share thoughts in groups of increasing size, and modeling good questions and question-asking. (PVD)

Discusses whether teachers should intervene when communication between learners of English as a Second Language breaks down and, if so, what form that intervention should take. The article concludes that teachers should resist intervention at the outset of communication problems and that any subsequent intervention must be specifically tailored to…

Reports on a translation exercise undertaken by Polish learners of English which revealed how metaphorical expressions vary between the two languages and how this variation confuses learners. Suggests that group discussion and comparison of metaphors in both languages will increase students' comprehension and use of metaphors. (nine references)…

Describes an in-class exercise using students' discussion of their answers on a multiple choice test to demonstrate the powerful effects and pervasiveness of social influence. After a brief multiple choice test, students discuss their answers with their neighbors and then answer again. Similar response patterns emerge among the participants. (MJP)

Outlines the basic precepts of the case method, details the sources of cases in geography and how to teach them, and evaluates the relevance of the case method in teaching and learning geography. Argues that the case method is an interactive learning approach that promotes student discussion and experiential learning. (MJP)

Classroom techniques for teaching business French for certification are discussed, focusing on strategies for vocabulary development and concept comprehension through both oral and written exercises. (MSE)

Structured academic controversy is a cooperative learning strategy that can promote learning in theoretical physical education classes at the college level. This article explains how to conduct structured academic controversy, providing examples of topics (e.g., adapted physical education, biomechanics, motor development, and sport psychology).…

Classroom communication system (CCS) technology makes it easier to give students immediate feedback on concept tests and to manage peer and class discussions in large classes. This study compared the effects of two different CCS discussion sequences on students' experiences of learning engineering. The results demonstrated that the type of…

Content analysis of 441 electronic mail (e-mail) messages used by 31 Finnish undergraduate students investigated the use of the medium for practicing argumentation (grounding of stated claims) in two teaching modes: a tutor-led seminar and self-directed student discussion. Results indicated argumentation improved during the experiment, especially…