This study recorded and analyzed 96 student discussion groups to identify successful dialogue strategies; to highlight difficulties deriving from group characteristics; and to examine how students behave, what they gain, and which students benefit most. A model of a successful discussion is outlined and study findings considered. (Author/SJL)

Three large, unstructured workshops (500-800 people) demonstrated how large groups of people can participate together and collectively choose ways of action aimed at satisfying all. Particular significance given to participants' shift away from looking for outside sources of answers, values and standards to discovery of strengths and answers…

An undergraduate course in pharmacology in which problem-based self-directed learning in the context of small groups provides students with an opportunity to take greater responsibility for their own learning is described. The objectives, examples of problems used in the course, and student evaluations of the course and tutors are included. (KR)

In U.S. colleges and universities, much attention has been focused on the need to improve teaching quality and to involve students in the learning process. At the same time, many faculty members are faced with growing class sizes and with time pressures due to research demands. One useful technique is to divide the class into small groups and…

Teacher education programs inadequately prepare teachers to teach students to participate in the many forms of cooperation which are inherent in life. Although teachers have the responsibility of helping students learn how to live and be productive in social groups, students in colleges of education are not usually trained to oversee and grade…

The set of five self-training modules was developed as a companion document to the Institute on Rehabilitation Services study on rehabilitation of disabled public assistance recipients. The training sessions were designed primarily for use by teams working together in this priority area, especially at the level of the counselor/social worker…

Interest centers are designed to meet the needs of the other children in the class while a small group works with the teacher on the Oral Language Program. This manual is intended to assist teachers in organizing the centers, which will be used for about an hour each day. Arrangement of furniture is discussed, suggestions are made for an art…

On completion of this unit, one should be capable of performing each of the following unit objectives: describe individual differences among students; define individualized instruction, list modes of individualization, and present a general instructional model of individualization; justify student self-direction as a learning goal and as a…

Considers cooperative reading and study groups and suggests activities designed to enhance individual learning and study skills for such groups. (NKA)

In 1995, there were 107 universities of the third age (U3As) in Australia (up from 104 in 1994) and Australian membership in U3A groups totaled 26,346 (compared to 20,788 in 1994). U3A membership in New Zealand was also up. In view of the increasing popularity of U3As in Australasia and the success of U3A networks in a number of countries…

The author's research reveals that the presence of a responsible, interactive adult attracts more children to an area than does that of a nonresponsive, passive adult. The authors concluded that the mere presence of a "passive" adult had no impact on maintaining children's interest in a specific learning area. (Author)

The withdrawal rate of students who volunteered to take core curriculum courses in the self-directed program at the University of Illinois College of Pharmacy is studied. These students are compared to those who did not withdraw and to those who withdraw from the traditional program. Learning preference and personality inventory characteristics…

Fourth and fifth graders (n=38) were trained in four thinking roles (task definer, strategist, monitor, and challenger) through small-group discussions to determine whether they retained and transferred their self-directed critical thinking skills. They applied the thinking roles effectively in comparison to untrained children up to eight weeks…

An innovative approach to teaching undergraduate psychology in a self-directed group discussion format was implemented at Raymond Walters College, in Ohio, based on premises from the active learning and employee involvement movements holding that adults achieve more when they are actively involved in their own learning and that students are…

Findings of a study that examined the effects of teacher behavior and organizational factors on student behavior in peer work groups are presented in this paper. Methodology included observation of one classroom from each of 10 Dutch elementary schools that frequently used forms of peer work groups and teacher interviews. Findings indicate that…