World War II dramatically increased the scope of higher education/university extension. Two other forces creating educational change were the GI Bill of Rights (1944) and the President's Commission on Higher Education (1947). New directions included postgraduate professional training, labor education, human relations training, interagency…

Senior level psychology majors and inservice counselors were administered the Rehabilitation Counseling Judgment Scale. A comparison of individual decisions, after sharing their thoughts in group discussion, indicated that group decisions were riskier than individual decisions. Implications of the effects of group interaction on rehabilitation…

This paper is designed to provide an observational system for classroom behavior. The validity of the typology remains to be established in replicative studies; however, paper does provide insight into the range and type of behavior commonly exhibited by school children, and describes the purposes this information can serve. (RW)

James Coleman's theory of high school leading crowd is tested. Changes over the school year are measured for students at Newlawn High, a suburban, working-class school, using data from Coleman's "Adolescent Society" study. (Editor)

Whether individual study of risk problems (familiarization) leads to greater risk taking was investigated. Subjects (N=160) in groups of five or alone developed arguments in favor of the successful risky outcome in six Choice Dilemma problems. Groups may be more efficient than individuals in developing arguments favoring culturally valued…

Described is a classroom simulation for high school economics students which illustrates concepts of scarcity, economic resources, differing systems of resource allocation, economic interdependence, and specialization. For availability, see SO 505 564. (Author/AV)

Explores "electronic meetings" as a way to solicit ideas, creative initiatives, and improved practices from groups for varied purposes in college administration. Groups meet in a conventional meeting room, but each member provides input by computer. Ideas can be projected on screen and refined immediately. The technique allows rapid, anonymous,…

Using common technologies listed in the conversation class, the article suggests a computer-aided language learning (CALL) speaking methodology that is interaction rather than machine centered and outlines ways to ensure the success of speaking activities at the computer. (31 references) (Author/CK)

New methods of structuring college faculty compensation systems are needed to involve, motivate, reward, and recognize individual and group behaviors. Compensation systems of the future should support the institution's core values, recognize that success results from interdependent relationships and not only individual accomplishments, and include…

An emotionally safe environment helps campers participate in adventure activities. Staff development tips for creating a safe environment include using cooperative goal setting; using parallel training processes; developing working lesson plans that outline facilitation techniques for creating emotionally safe environments; and using co-created…

Investigates the behaviors, interactions, and perceptions of junior high school students as they worked in structured or unstructured cooperative learning groups on problem-solving, curriculum-based tasks in mathematics, science and English. Results show that children in the structured groups were more cooperative and provided more relevant verbal…

Technologies can help overcome some human problems in strategic planning. Group Support Systems technology allows issues to be divorced from the people proposing them and allows debatelike discussion. Strategic Conferencing with a multiattribute value model supports shared understanding and provides modeled scenarios of consequences. Mental…

Shows how to make room in the first-year composition course for unusual writings using collective research. Contains a narrative explaining how students devise their own topics and conduct their research in groups. (TB)

Addresses the problems and methods of assessing individual performance within a group project. A peer evaluation technique by Culp and Malone was implemented in which group members were asked to identify the percent contribution they and other group members made to categories such as creativity, research, writing, and organizing. Ratings were then…

A study examined how 28 components of Outward Bound Western Canada (OBWC) courses affected student self-concept, motivation, and interpersonal skills. Data from questionnaires, interviews, and observations of 92 OBWC students generally supported previous research, but also indicated that the objectives of compassion and service received less…