A design group needs to sift through confusion, come together, and converse as a team before it can be productive in design tasks. At the 1994 Fuschl Conversation on Systems Design, the metaphor of lighting a fire was used to symbolize this coming together; three tables examine the relationships between the metaphor and starting a design…

Describes a program developed by librarians at Arizona State University West to evaluate their library instruction. Topics discussed include stressing individual improvement rather than personnel evaluation and decisions; group process; focus on formative evaluation; role of evaluation measures; evaluations by faculty and students; and colleague…

Describes a group activity that uses a tree as a metaphor to reflect both group and personal growth during adventure activities. The tree's roots represent the group's formation, the branches and leaves represent the group's diversity and capabilities, and the seeds represent the personal learning and growth that took place within the group.…

Describes the role of reading/writing workshops for second-language classrooms as a flexible way to organize a class for literary instruction. In this environment, students can choose among integrated social activities involving reading, writing, speaking and listening without feeling pressure to exhibit a polished performance every time. (CK)

Teacher support groups can promote professional development by encouraging ownership of the professional agenda, enhancing collegial interaction, and reducing program fragmentation. A survey revealed that teacher groups formed by teachers enabled members to find personal and professional support within the group, while groups sponsored by the…

Studies students' writing, thinking, and cooperative processes in a research and argumentation class (part of a first-year composition sequence) working on a research assignment in small groups. Suggests ways to help students become more successful cooperative researchers. (SR)

Analyzes group discourse (n=24) during laboratory investigations in order to understand how students solve scientific problems and the ways social roles shape the development and articulation of arguments. Results indicate that knowledge building depends on students learning to use tools of the scientific community and the social context in which…

Discusses a study of four middle-school interdisciplinary teams, highlighting teachers' focus of concern and perceptions about teaming's benefits and costs for themselves and students. Findings show that successful progression toward interdisciplinary teaming tasks depends on interrelationships of group composition, operating variables, and…

Collaborative organizations can fall prey to bureaucratic evasions and ethical pitfalls, such as self-protection, self-righteousness, and self-deception. Superintendents must actively work to improve children's conditions and embody ethical practices. They should demonstrate trust and openness, define what is ethical, examine agendas, share…

Investigated effects of an individual's ability to process information (conceptual level) on the choice of alternative verbal conflict behaviors (tactics) in a small-group context. Members of the higher conceptual level study group made a higher percentage of overall responses, while members of the lower conceptual level group used avoidance and…

Explains the importance of an integrated science class setting in students' ability to engage in decision making and develop skills required to design investigations. Presents an example of a science classroom in which students participate in a guided inquiry activity and design an investigation. Points to the potential of group projects in…

Adventure therapists are often asked to assess clients in a manner that differs from their therapeutic approach, resulting in assessment being perceived as burdensome. Project Adventure's Decision Tree combines assessment with activity selection to create a dynamic tool that is responsive to group, individual, and leader needs. Example focuses on…

Articulates how the term "community" has been used to identify, describe, and construct online contexts and groups--online communities. Discusses how one particular online discussion group, SpreadNet, attempts to socially construct and negotiate the meaning of the term and how such negotiation influences the (inter)actions, values, and social…

Continuing educators must consider the impact of technology on group processes, including ways in which it affects group pressures, communication patterns, and social and emotional components of learning. Administrators and faculty should integrate group process frameworks with educational technologies in order to provide effective learning…

Believes that comprehensive art education should include art exhibition. Focuses on art exhibits and how they are developed by discussing the four basic phases involved in the exhibition process: (1) conceptual; (2) development; (3) functional; and (4) assessment. Discusses the social dynamics involved and how students can create their own…