Following an opening statement explaining the importance of small groups as an educational innovation, the author examines seven different types of groups, their organization and function. 1) The task group involves students in many types of meaningful work, with each member able to make a useful contribution towards the completion of the task. 2)…

An experimental student-to-student tutoring program established at California State University is discussed in this article. The tutors receive academic credit rather than money for their services. The tutor's responsibilities require: (1) contact hours with the tutees; (2) tutorial preparations; (3) consultation with course instructors; (4)…

This technical report describes the evaluation of the first year of Project Upswing, a 2-year experimental study to determine the potential contribution of volunteers in helping young children overcome learning difficulties. The three large groups of first grade children involved received tutoring either from specially trained volunteers,…

A cross-age tutoring program conducted in an elementary school is described. Part I of the report concerns reasons for instituting such a program. Benefits are predicted for (1) the tutor, in improving his/her attitudes toward learning, (2) for the tutee, by promoting a positive relationship with an older child, (3) for the teachers, in providing…

The Title III reading program in the Wagner, South Dakota, school district was intended to increase the reading levels of selected elementary school children through the use of lay tutors. The 167 children with reading levels considerably below their grade level were selected to participate. Consultants were used to give intensive inservice…

This article describes several community and parent programs which have been developed to meet children's needs in such areas as day care, nutrition, and tutoring. (BRT)

In this program, engineering students who have proven to be excellent writers are trained to give individual help to other students. (BB)

A Chicago project used the concept of the extended Black family and the interdependence that exists within that relationship to develop a peer-group/cross-age tutoring program as a strategy for teaching and/or reinforcing reading skills. (Author)

Found that classroom instruction was more effective than a tutorial approach to freshman English. (DD)

A discussion of the implementation of peer tutoring programs in the elementary school with emphasis on the choice of tutor, tutor training, and supervision of the tutoring pair. Advantages of peer tutoring are outlined. (GO)

The Individualized Supplementary Calculus Instruction (ISCI) Program is a computer-based tutorial resource in use on several campuses and by large companies needing to train employees in calculus. Evaluation showed ISCI to be effective, especially with students who report little talent for mathematics. (SD)

The group dynamics of a peer tutoring program using three (instead of the traditional two) students helps learning-impaired students in both academic achievement and social development. Two students are learners, while the third serves as teacher. (CB)

Reports a case study of an instructional program developed for a nine-year-old boy who was a severe underachiever in both spelling and reading. The program used a structured, systematic instructional approach along with token reinforcement. Both reading and spelling showed improvement that was sustained beyond the treatment period. (Author/JDH)

Cites personal experience and research which supports peer group work in spelling, noting this method provides an opportunity to create linkages between reading, writing, and spelling instruction. Suggests strategies for implementing an individualized spelling program. (NH)

The review of four recent studies which examined the effects of instructional design variables in computer assisted instruction (drill and practice, tutorial, and simulation) for mildly handicapped secondary students found statistically significant differences for the experimental treatments in three of the studies indicating the importance of…