Examines the role of social interaction as a facilitator of learning in general and conceptual change in particular. Three conditions are proposed as necessary for social interaction to facilitate knowledge construction--horizontal information, comparable domain knowledge, and availability of cognitive tools. Suggests that these conditions assure…

Examines taped small-group student discussions of "To Kill a Mockingbird" in two tenth grade classes. Explores various discussion skills, including getting started, overcoming tension, deciding who begins, keeping the discussion moving, supporting one another in groups, and dealing with conflict. (MM)

Five part-time family physicians attended a course in the patient-centered clinical method over three months. The small group format using role playing and videotaped examples emphasized understanding the patient's point of view and doctor-patient collaboration. (SK)

Describes how a second grade teacher implemented a small-group, support-reading strategy with low-achieving readers. Describes (1) characteristics of the innercity classroom; (2) explanation of how the instructional strategy was introduced and implemented over time; (3) evidence of the intervention's success; and (4) comments on the…

Six basal reader programs were examined in an effort to address questions raised by an earlier study of kindergarten reading instruction. It was determined that basal reading material did not allow teachers to offer flexible individual instruction to children and that first grade preprimers had an erratic prerequsite reliance on the phonics taught…

Meta-analytic reviews have shown that gifted students gain little from programs of minimal instructional modification (multilevel classes), more from greater modifications (cross-grade and within-class programs) and the most from those involving the greatest amount of curricular adjustment (enrichment and acceleration). (Author/DB)

Three fifth grade students with learning disabilities were taught to recognize multisyllabic basal vocabulary words using constant time delay in a small-group instructional arrangement and were assessed on ability to recognize, spell, and define both their own target words and observational words. The procedure was effective in establishing…

A theory of literary interpretation that treats the reader's interaction with text as a form of conversation is discussed, and related teaching techniques are described. The approach uses four steps: (1) articulating initial responses; (2) pursuing deeper understanding of the text; (3) interaction with the text; and (4) identifying possibilities…

Drexel University (Pennsylvania) will overhaul its first- and second-year curricula by using extensive team teaching, designing interdisciplinary courses, introducing students to their majors earlier, and having students work in small groups. A pilot program in engineering has been successful. Goals are to improve education and boost retention.…

At the University of Kentucky's comprehensive dental care clinic, student teams are headed by faculty members responsible for both patient and student management. A team coordinator and staff assistant are also assigned to each. Despite administrative difficulties and some academic problems, the program is generally well received by patients and…

Forty-eight elementary children with hearing impairments were assigned to either computer-assisted instruction or small-group instruction and workbooks, for math or language arts. Results showed that computer-assisted instruction did not affect improvement in written language skills or standardized achievement tests but did show positive effects…

Distinguishes between training and facilitation, examines the belief system of a facilitator, and shares a process for moving from the familiar mind-set of the trainer to the zen (the practice of seeking the truth) of facilitation. (GLR)

Three experiments evaluated the use of choral and individual responding in teaching word reading to four students (ages 10-13) with moderate mental retardation. The experiments indicated that the effects of choral and individual responding interact with the ratio of exposures to stimulus and with the ratio of opportunities to respond in the two…

A peer coaching program in Georgia involved 22 elementary teachers as participants in professional development to stimulate their cognitive development. Teachers learned the peer coaching process, then participated in four coaching cycles. The program raised their conceptual levels, reduced teacher isolation, and developed more positive attitudes…

Effects of constant time delay in teaching sight word reading to four disabled preschoolers were evaluated. The method was reliably implemented in a group setting, effectively taught all targeted stimuli in near-errorless fashion, promoted observational learning across students, and resulted in greater expressive labeling and receptive…