Describes the efforts of the Community College of Allegheny County (Pennsylvania) to completely revise the college curriculum. Focuses on the definition of "curriculum," an outside consultant's review, research on outcomes assessment, curriculum planning models, estimates of the time commitment involved, and human relations and group dynamics.…

Discusses the differentiation of the American professoriate on the following primary dimensions of professionalism: (1) patterns of work; (2) identification; (3) authority; (4) career; and (5) association. Argues that integration is accomplished through overlap of subcommunities, rather than through socialization or similar functions. (FMW)

Investigated self-disclosure in college students (N=144) who were assigned to groups of four receiving either a self-disclosure or placebo treatment. Found self-disclosure intervention resulted in significantly higher group cohesiveness, commitment to task and productivity; females demonstrated greater cohesiveness and commitment to task than did…

Compares two contrasting perspectives of social contagion processes (structural equivalence and cohesion) associated with the organizational outcome variables of commitment and role ambiguity in organizations. Finds that structural equivalence was more associated with role ambiguity and that commitment was more associated with cohesion. (MS)

A "Think Tank Discussion Program" was an effective means for promoting interaction among seven non-handicapped students and a profoundly hearing impaired student as well as providing a small group alternative to whole class discussion. The hearing impaired student's contributions were stimulated by comments from other students and the program…

Argues that "talk around the edges," informal exchanges between children in the classroom, are important moments for the enhancement of language facility, at least as important as formal language lessons. Provides approaches to incorporating "talk around the edges" or talk much like "talk around the edges" into lessons. (TB)

Some ideas are presented for structuring student groups in second-language classes in a way to encourage them to work together more productively. Eight types of positive interdependence are explained. (Contains 14 references.) (LB)

Activities for team-building in college-level management and organizational behavior classes are described. The exercises use adventure-education techniques but have as their central theme the production of rhythms in various forms: creating predictable agendas; beating simple rhythms on desks; a Japanese hand clapping; recitation; and feeling…

Discuses briefly how, by understanding the social distances that define and separate students' self-selected peer crowds in secondary schools, school staff can help students with peer pressures, develop their own identities, and succeed academically. (SR)

Examined whether a relationship exists between family adaptability and cohesion and principled moral reasoning. The moral reasoning level of 131 adolescents was measured using the Defining Issues Test, and levels of perceived family adaptability and cohesion were measured using Family and Adaptability and Cohesion Scales. No significant…

Data from 53 programs training literacy tutors in small group/collaborative methods showed that the model corroborated benefits of the approach for adults. Findings suggested that tutors, trainers, and learners need time to develop group process skills. Programs lacking a volunteer management system had difficulties supporting tutors and learners.…

Addresses the potential of camp to promote self-esteem and nurture a sense of community. Summarizes articles in this journal issue that focus on individual and group behavior including homesickness, how camps can promote positive attitudes toward disabled campers, and a camp program that provides respite care for families of children with AIDS.…

Describes a model for using therapeutic adventure experiences to assess client or group behavior. Elements include accessing information from previous experiences with similar clients, hypothesizing about client behavior, introducing a novel adventure experience, examining potential interventions, integrating information to develop diagnoses, and…

A focus group was formed at Brigham Young University (Utah) to gain student perspectives on advising services and materials. The approach has helped the institution refine its materials and content to match students' developmental needs, involve students in program evaluation, and improve administrator sensitivity to student needs. (MSE)

Analyzes college writing teachers' dialog learning logs. Finds that groups of teachers developed particular learning foci. Discusses response patterns in log writing and in group interactions. (SR)