Through this lesson, teachers can use children's nonfiction books and the Internet to help their students develop accurate, substantive information about Native American people in the present day. During one 50-minute session, students will: participate in critical discussions about their knowledge of Native Americans; work cooperatively in small…

This study evaluated the impact of length of training in the Life Skills Training (LST) program on teachers' perception of the work climate and sense of self-efficacy, identifying process components affecting those outcomes. The LST program is a psychoeducational model of group intervention designed to improve the well-being of children and…

Reviews research on demonstration versus small group instruction in four phases (up to 1926, 1926-1946, 1946-1960, and 1960-present), reflecting progressive stages with respect to the development of the investigational techniques used in the studies. (Author/JN)

Wright State University School of Medicine uses community pathologists as unpaid volunteers to team teach pathology courses, making possible a small-group approach in the laboratory. The organization of the course and faculty teams, student evaluation, and results of this approach are discussed. (JMD)

Outlines a series of practical ideas for incorporating the creative activities of composing and improvising into instrumental ensemble rehearsals. Discusses simple techniques and approaches for composing with new notes, rhythms, and concepts, as well as improvisation and in-class compositions. Includes key notation charts and a list of selected…

Describes a series of breathing exercises designed to produce a more focused and cohesive choral group. Maintains that these exercises will improve singing, develop body awareness, and result in a more vital and responsive class. Exercises are illustrated by accompanying photographs. (MJP)

Illustrates the cooperative-learning approach as used in an upper-division undergraduate course on gender and family relationships. Results show that the approach enhanced student understanding and improved the quality of the classroom experience for both students and the instructor in a way that was consistent with feminist goals. (RJM)

Classroom communication system (CCS) technology makes it easier to give students immediate feedback on concept tests and to manage peer and class discussions in large classes. This study compared the effects of two different CCS discussion sequences on students' experiences of learning engineering. The results demonstrated that the type of…

Reviewed are the basic principles of cooperative learning including a rationale for its use and the formation of cooperative learning groups in the classroom. Examples of the application of this teaching method to mathematics teaching are discussed. (CW)

The results of a three-year project introducing small-group experiential learning techniques into a traditionally structured first-year lecture course are presented. Ways to introduce the techniques into large classes with no increase in resources are discussed. (MSE)

A computer-assisted interaction analysis system that describes behavior in small groups and focuses on active clinical problem-solving was developed and tested. Teacher and class characteristics are incorporated into the simulation, allowing feedback for improvement of medical teaching skills. (TJH)

Discussion of interactive technologies and open learning focuses on computer supported cooperative work (CSCW), especially computer based message systems, and their effects on open learning. Topics discussed include cooperative learning; distance learning; individualized instruction; local area networks; group communication; and design principles…

Describes a study of fifth- and sixth-grade students that investigated the patterns of peer interaction among students working cooperatively in small groups on a computer-based problem-solving task and the effects of gender and group composition on peer interaction. Suggestions for future research are included. (Contains 86 references.) (LRW)

A pharmacy school large-group (110 students) course in pharmacokinetics was designed to incorporate small-group team-based problem solving. The method allows students to learn material through traditional lecture, research the topic further, discuss the information gained, and apply the learning to specific cases in a manner that promotes…

Includes "Young Men Learning: Informal Education and Drug Abuse" (Ellis); "Young Women Learning: Participative Women-Only Group Work" (Gregory); "City Challenge and Capacity Building: Developing Communication Skills" (Smith); and "Social Education with Disaffected Young People: The Padstow Challenge and…