Effective school discipline plans get to the root cause of student misconduct and specify expected behavior codes, values, and directives. Successful plans involve all stakeholders in their design, recognize parents as the first link to prevention, ensure access to professional development, celebrate students' positive contributions to the school…

Teams of ninth-graders (n=172) in Israel designed and constructed models of hot-air balloons with tissue paper. The short, open-ended technological task promoted teamwork and high motivation. Most teams functioned without a leader. Teachers were challenged by the need to transfer autonomy and responsibility to students. (SK)

Individual members (n=308) rated their teams (31 teams) across 12 different criteria of team performance. Using the many-facet Rasch model, the multiple criteria differences in team ratings can be utilized to better assess the meaning of team performance. (Author/MAK)

Comparison of process and outcome variables for in-class teams (80 students) with interuniversity teams using computer-mediated communication (36 students) revealed that electronic groups may negate some benefits of collaborative learning (e.g., they were less satisfied with group process). However, electronic groups achieved higher overall level…

Although educational teams can help reduce teachers' feelings of isolation and enhance instruction, ineffective leadership often dooms their efforts. This article describes four team leadership approaches: "strong-man,""transactor,""visionary hero," and "SuperLeadership." The last is superior, since it…

Examines the role of accounting calculations in reorganizing manufacturing capabilities of a vertically integrated global retailing company. Introducing teamwork to replace line work extended traditional, hierarchical management control systems. Teamwork's self-managing demands contravened workers' established sense of self-identity as…

An ethnographic study of organizational change in a bank considered issues surrounding virtual teamwork in virtual organizations. Problems in communication, management control, and approach to customer service were found. An underlying cause is that "virtual" work involves "real" customers, workers, and problems. (Contains 36 references.) (SK)

Recently, Elmwood (New York) Public Schools initiated a new procedure for interviewing candidates for all instructional and noninstructional positions: the team interview. This article describes team composition for various positions, team interview procedures, contrasts with former practice, advantages, and disadvantages. Despite time demands,…

Provides an approach to ensure that courses are implemented as designed. Highlights include training the trainers and peer teaching, the need for cooperation between the course development and delivery teams, the use of technology, using subject matter experts, and evaluation through telephone interviews that supports this approach. (LRW)

Formulates the idea of the "interpretive zone" as a way to describe the space in which collaborative interpretation of research unfolds. Because of the importance of teamwork to qualitative research, the interpretive zone becomes a critical location for future methodological inquiry and examination of the dynamics of group research. (SLD)

Research has determined that cooperative learning has positive effects in physical education. This article presents five important components of cooperative learning to help physical educators maximize learning (team formation, positive interdependence, individual accountability, positive social interaction, and group processing), describing five…

Training of geriatrics clinicians in interdisciplinary teamwork included group dynamics, conflict management, leadership, and team building. Pre/posttest data from eight teams identified challenges in defining teams, stabilizing membership, dealing with health care changes, and coping with stress. Training objectives were revised to include…

Some teachers are building and sharing their wisdom and know-how through lesson study, in the process creating memorable learning experiences for students and for each other. This paper describes how lesson study can transform teaching and how schools are implementing lesson study. A sidebar presents questions to consider in lesson study. (SM)

Describes the use of a professional development process called lesson study, which puts teachers in a leadership role for improving their own classroom practices. Administrators also play a critical role in whether lesson study will succeed or falter. A sidebar offers questions for administrators to consider as their schools work toward using…

Describes procedures followed by librarians whose special libraries were destroyed or otherwise affected by the September 11 terrorist attacks. Discusses plans used from Y2K planning; the importance of having a disaster plan in place; moving locations; teamwork; and duplicating data in duplicate locations. Provides a list of pertinent resources.…