Questions and questioning play a major role in both formal and informal educative processes. They are the means by which a child expresses the desire to understand the world outside and they subsequently become the means by which a teacher assesses whether or not a child has satisfactorily assimilated something. This book considers questions from…

Base Christian communities (also know as base-level ecclesial communities or CEBs) are small groups of Christians, mainly Catholics and mainly in Latin America, that come together for scripture study, prayer, and fellowship. They frequently turn their attention toward social ills and address problems existing within society. The origin of CEBs can…

The rhetorical cycle is a step-by-step approach that provides classroom experience before students actually write, thereby making the writing process less frustrating for them. This approach consists of six sequential steps: reading, thinking, speaking, listening, discussing, and finally writing. Readings serve not only as models of rhetorical…

The nature of communication in the counterculture was investigated. The counterculture is distinguished from subculture and contraculture by its attempts to modify, change, and alter the dominant culture. A food co-op, which presented itself as being based on counterculture philosophy was studied as a representative organization within the…

The value of student participation in class discussion is considered. An approach is suggested for college teachers to help them better motivate and evaluate students who participate in classroom discussion. Reliable, accurate, and meaningful assessment of students' participation in classroom discussion can be achieved if an instructor bases the…

This discussion guide identifies significant concerns and provides background information to assist interested persons as they discuss teacher education and certification in Ohio. Part 1 explains the why and the how of the decision maker's role in discussing critical issues and making recommendations for revising standards. Part 2 (plus the…

This issue of "Interchange" contains a reading, discussion questions, activities, and ideas to help educators teach secondary students and adults about immigration issues. Students are expected to read and discuss the reading entitled "Immigration: Questions and Answers." This reading analyzes the concerns about current levels of immigration and…

This investigation focused on teachers' questioning skills and the use of wait time (length of pauses after questions). A sample of 40 experienced middle school science teachers from 5 suburban school districts in 1 central New York State county was divided into 4 treatment groups of 10 teachers each. One group received instruction in wait time…

This excerpt from a newsletter presents an interview with Robert Lee Chartrand, senior specialist in information policy and technology for the Congressional Research Service of the Library of Congress, on issues related to information technology and the U.S. Congress. A brief biography of Mr. Chartrand presents his major professional experience,…

One of the challenges of asynchronous online discussions is soliciting student responses that involve critical thinking. Too often students answer one another with "I agree" or "That's what I think" and the discussion dead ends. By providing students with models of good questioning techniques instructors will see the class…

Response to questions about discussion in adult classes directed to tutors indicated that good discussion promotes clarification and understanding, is futuristically oriented, and lively. Limits of useful discussion, potential of discussion approach for different subjects, and the psychological value of discussion for students also are discussed.…

All of the 91 C(Communication)-group participants over a three-year period at Montgomery County Community College were asked to complete a follow-up questionnaire about their group experiences. The results from 68 individuals indicated a positive reaction to the groups with respondents especially valuing the group atmosphere. (Author)

Describes an experiment in which the learning contract method was used in a philosophical ethics course and assesses the learning contract method as compared to the discussion method. (Author/PG)

The transcript of a values awareness lesson in communicable diseases is presented to illustrate the two stages of a typical values class--introducing the lesson and implementing the lesson. In this case, an overhead slide-transparency is used (along with prefacing remarks) to lead the class into considering those whom a gonorrhea-infected youth…