Critiques the linear model that some managers use for appointing work groups, committees, and task forces; and discusses constructivist-based approaches as more effective ways to promote positive consensus, cohesion, and cooperation among nursing work groups. (Author)

Suggests that training professionals should nurture conflict among team members because disagreement is a healthy part of the collaborative process. Offers ways to encourage good disputes through respect for individuals and their differences, rewards for good behavior, well-equipped employees, and individualized training as necessary. (JOW)

Conversations with three nursing teachers facilitating reflective groups were analyzed using a phenomenological approach. Characteristics of facilitators and groups, facilitators' preparation for the role, and difficulties with the process were identified. (SK)

Reports and discusses special challenges and problems experienced by small group facilitators in organizational settings. Results indicate five primary categories of challenges and problems: internal conflict, lack of interest or enthusiasm, differing status levels among group members, lack of management support, and dysfunctional or disruptive…

Analysis of critical incidents recalled by 10 practitioner inquiry group facilitators reveals how they encounter issues of power that require them to negotiate social and organizational identity, the identity and boundaries of the group, and the public identity of teacher inquiry. Negotiating tensions and contradictions is part of the effect of…

The purpose of this study was to find out: (a) pupils' attitudes towards open-ended science investigations, and (b) the problems that pupils encounter when carrying out such investigations in groups. The study was conducted in a class of 39 primary 6 pupils of mixed ability who carried out four investigations. Data were based on pupils' responses…

Co-leadership is a ubiquitous practice that is largely not understood. The professional literature agrees that the relationship between the co-leaders is a vital element of the group process. Although much has been written about the development of the co-leadership relationship, a unifying stage model that bridges group co-leader development does…

This article approaches educational partnerships from two perspectives not dominant in the current literature. First, it adopts an organizational perspective, analyzing the participants in a school, corporate foundation, university, and college partnership from the institutional dynamics of each agency. Focusing on preexistent organizational…

Knowledge of group dynamics and leadership activities is a component of the CORE Standards for the Master's degree curriculum in Rehabilitation Counseling. A group experience is often included as a learning activity in rehabilitation counselor education curricula as an instructional method of imparting knowledge of group dynamics. Group experience…

Purpose: Although conflict has traditionally been considered destructive, recent studies have indicated that conflict management can contribute to effective teamwork. The present study explores conflict management as a team phenomenon in schools. The author examined how the contextual variables (task interdependence, goal interdependence) are…

Team-based learning (TBL) may rely on small group interaction more heavily than any other commonly used instructional strategy in postsecondary education. This conclusion is based on three facts: (1) Group work with TBL is central to exposing students to and improving their ability to apply course content; (2) Majority of class time with TBL is…

Group literature on co-leaders' experiences and perceptions while leading groups illuminate reflective practice as highly influential to co-leader relationships and performances. Using practical examples grounded by interdisciplinary literature on reflective practice, this article explores and expands dialogue on the complex interplay between…

This article describes how to build a classroom community of learners, pre-service teachers, during the first days of the semester. This process not only creates a supportive learning environment, but it provides pre-service teachers with a model of how they can build a community of learners in their own classrooms.

A tablet PC is a versatile computer that combines the computing power of a notebook with the pen functionality of a PDA (Cox and Rogers 2005b). The authors adopted tablet PC technology in order to improve the process and product of the lecture format in their chemistry, engineering, and physics courses. In this high-tech model, a single tablet PC…

In the framework of a subject-centred socio-cultural approach, this study investigates creative collaboration and the resources for and obstacles to it in a long-term learning community of ten teacher students. The study focuses on five different learning situations over a 2-year period. The data were taken from teacher students' evaluations and…