This report summarizes a series of national forums on adult education and literacy sponsored by the Office of Vocational and Adult Education. The first part contains profiles of the four national forums in Seattle, Washington; St. Louis, Missouri; Charleston, South Carolina; and Newark, New Jersey. Each profile consists of brief descriptions of…

This paper describes an interactive strategy for the instruction of critical thinking taking place in a middle school in Dade County, Florida. The project involves integration of critical thinking and brainstorming, using the quality circle approach. Based on developmental characteristics, certain principles impact middle school curricula: (1) the…

This booklet summarizes results of a conference in Queensland (Australia) concerning the implications for teacher education of integrating students with special educational needs into local schools. The conference arose from two earlier reports of the Advisory Council for Special Educational Needs. Key principles were identified and prioritized.…

Different kinds of discussion methods have been developed to help students achieve different kinds of instructional objectives. The following discussion methods are analyzed from the perspective of the role demands that they make of students and teachers: (1) cooperative learning discussions; (2) the subject mastery discussion method; and (3)…

A junior high level human relations class develops human interaction and oral communication skills. A week-by-week syllabus contains the following components: introduction of the students to each other and to the principles of body language, transactional analysis, and group interaction; behavior contracts; group dynamics topics and exercises;…

This study examined young children's cognitive engagement during classroom book reading with different types of books in Greek kindergarten schools. Twenty teachers read four books--two fiction (familiar/unfamiliar story format) and two information books (expository/narrative text). As expected, children's and teachers' cognitive engagement was…

Implementation of cutting-edge technology has enabled higher and postsecondary education to create new learning environments by affording greater access to education for more students via virtual classrooms. Although virtual instruction in its asynchronous mode has been reported as to be at least comparable, and sometimes better than conventional…

This paper presents, describes, and explains the results of Project SIGN (a school improvement groups network) collaboratively conducted by the University of North Carolina at Greensboro and the Camp Lejeune Dependents' Schools during the 1989-90 school year. The collegial, professional in-service program, designed to improve school effectiveness…

Junior Great Books discussions were used to teach critical thinking skills and independent learning behaviors to learning-disabled 5th-grade students. In baseline observations, the seven learning-disabled students exhibited active off-task behaviors and disruptive behavior causing dismissal from the group, while seven students in a…

Self-formulating study-groups, comprised of teachers voluntarily meeting with consultant leaders, are used in Denmark as an effective tool for identifying and discussing relevant problems and developing action programs. The general educational approach employed in self-formulating study-groups includes a problem orientation related to the…

The learning module described is for the use of teachers who wish to learn the technique of classroom meetings to create an atmosphere of unity within the group. The scope and sequencing of topics in this module are outlined, and the activities and resources involved in its use are described. Also included in this report are ordering information…

TWO RESEARCH FRAMEWORKS, SOCIAL ACTION AND GROUP FORMATION AND MAINTENANCE, WERE CHOSEN TO ANALYZE THE EFFECTIVENESS OF COMMUNICATION STRATEGIES EMPLOYED BY EXTENSION WORKERS. IN A STUDY ON THE INTRODUCTION OF PROGRAM PLANNING INTO A COUNTY, THE FULFILLMENT OF EACH OF 34 STEPS IN THE SOCIAL ACTION PROCESS WAS ANALYZED AND FOUND TO BE ONLY SOMEWHAT…

Based on papers and discussions at a national conference organized by the British Broadcasting Corporation and the University of Aston in Birmingham in July 1967, this book outlines the principles of modern industrial training, based on task and skill analysis, and looks at the part that new learning resources can play in implementing these…

To try to produce more capable deaf children through early parental education, eight families participated in a 2-semester program. Parents observed the children, aged 18 months to 3 1/2 years, receiving language stimulation in free play in a nursery and observed individual therapy based on the Tracy Correspondence Course. Non-directive group…

The sourcebook is one of several supplementary materials for a 15-week newspaper course about crime and justice in America. Program ideas and sources of related resources compiled in the sourcebook are designed to help civic and group leaders and educators plan educational community programs based on the course topics. Section one describes ways…