Discussion of group work projects in higher education focuses on a comparison of the performance of student groups formed randomly, with those formed using the Honey and Mumford learning styles questionnaire. Describes results that indicate no significant difference in student performances and considers the relationship to the Kolb model.…

This study of 846 scientific research papers investigated the status of scientific communication in the context of interdisciplinary collaboration. Concludes that collaborative research contributed significantly to interdisciplinarity in some disciplines and not in others. Survey findings are discussed from the perspective of scientist-scientist…

Uses the example of the Women's Journal Group to show how a personal, emotional commitment to a personally connected writing community will change that way a writer thinks, feels, and acts. Describes the beginnings of the Women's Journal Group, the members' differing backgrounds, goals, and expectations. Outlines the principles of multimedia…

Investigates children's language and interaction during sharing time in a first-grade classroom. Observes that when sharing time shifted from a teacher-led to a child-led event, corresponding changes appeared in children's language. Suggests that teachers create speech situations that children control to encourage language development and…

Social network analysis (SNA) uses indices of relatedness among individuals to produce representations of social structures and positions inherent in dyads or groups. SNA methods provide quantitative representations of ongoing transactional patterns in a given social environment. Methodological issues, applications and resources are discussed…

Describes Project HOPE (New York), a psycho-social support program for noninfected children of HIV-positive parents, including the challenges of starting and implementing the program's psychotherapy group for grieving adolescents and clinical examples of group process and effective interventions in group leadership. Explicates the four stages in…

Short-term longitudinal study compared influence of 6th, 8th, and 10th graders' closest friends (CF) and friendship groups (FG) on cigarette and alcohol use. Results showed that CF influenced initiation of cigarette and alcohol use. Only FG use predicted transition into current cigarette use. Only CF use predicted transition into current alcohol…

Describes development of CD-ROM and print materials designed for learners with low literacy levels. Explains the importance of group work, incorporation of different learning styles, and the benefits of flexible delivery. (SK)

In supervising children, camp counselors should be aware of certain truths about working with campers that can affect their safety: the tendency for campers to become overstimulated, the effect campers can have on adults known as regressive pull, and the situation known as player-umpire. A counselor judgement checklist is offered that will help…

A "traffic light" model provides youth groups with a means to evaluate the risk level of specific behaviors and agree upon the management of such behaviors. Designed for outdoor pursuits, the model may be used in other environments. Suggestions for ways to discuss red-light, yellow-light, and green-light behaviors are included. (SV)

Action learning should result in personal growth leading to organizational growth. However, differences in learner perspectives, problems in group decision making, and circumstances inhibiting learning transfer may explain why organizational growth does not always result as expected. (Contains 21 references.) (SK)

Camp directors are role models for staff, and their behavior sets the tone for staff behavior. Treat staff like adults. Treat them with respect; be demanding and fair. Clearly tell them what is expected. Encourage initiative, and don't punish the mistakes that come with learning to make decisions. Anecdotes illustrate how inappropriate management…

Performed two studies to examine things unsaid in group counseling. Examined categories of things unsaid, relationships between types of things unsaid, stage of group development, and gender. Found more advice and outside things unsaid during orientation-inclusion stage and more positive feeling and empathic things unsaid during affection-cohesion…

Demonstrates how the Gestalt Approach can be useful in facilitating systems design for educational change. This approach focuses on awareness of the process that the group is involved with and helps to create an environment where individual and group concerns can be integrated and harmonized. Discusses the "Cycle of Experience" and…

Proposes an extended form of dialog for social systems design called design conversation. Two modes of social discourse are combined: strategic dialog (communication that focuses on the specific task of seeking solutions) and generative dialog (common frame of thinking and shared meaning in a group). Describes a conversation program of the…