Points out the importance of effective group work in all aspects of education. Provides group members and leaders with 15 practical guidelines concerning member behavior in groups and task or structural characteristics of groups. Suggestions deal with issues such as communication styles, group maintenance, group size, and reaching consensus. (JHZ)

Explains that teachers must understand that discussion is not a simple collection of listening and speaking skills but a dynamic event that requires children to orchestrate a number of language skills. Offers suggestions for improving discussions. (FL)

Discusses techniques to use with adult beginning readers in the areas of (1) assessment (i.e., interviewing, voice pointing); (2) discussion (i.e., explaining approaches, incorporating interests); and (3) instruction (i.e., assisted reading, progress tracking). (CH)

The use of a calendar of memorable cultural and world events to stimulate daily classroom discussion is illustrated in sample activities based on notable November events. (MSE)

Presents two studies of the influence of group size, prior acquaintance, and gender composition on talking and silence in decision making groups (N=157). Results suggested that friends talked more than strangers, and leaders talked more than nonleaders. Group differences were reflected more dramatically in patterns of silence. (JAC)

A model for the teaching of aesthetic dialogue to intermediate grade students is presented. One outcome of children discussing the aesthetic structure of art is that they transfer this learning and structure to other areas of their life. (Author/RM)

Discusses how educational philosopher Joseph Schwab's conception of theory applies to curriculum development. Subtopics include the relationship of theory to practice; four universal components of education and their relationships; the curriculum development group, whose composition reflects the four components; and goal-directed versus…

Describes the group intermix procedure, a prediscussion strategy in which students work in groups to process the content of a single book. Suggests classroom applications. (FL)

Discusses questioning techniques and lists 10 mutuality-enhancing devices, including hinting, simplifying, and making use of hesitations and pauses. (DF)

Provides a worksheet and summary sheet for use in facilitating the sharing of experiences, expertise, techniques, and skills among a group of approximately 15 people interested in environmental activism. Describes how to organize the group and what procedures to use to achieve recommended goals. (BC)

Issues about computer use are addressed by a discussion activity designed to help students think about situations and understand various points of view. Four situations are given, each presented from the viewpoints of four persons. (MNS)

Outlines positive and negative features of the lecture method and the resource-based learning method, recounts a personal experience with the responsive lecture, and discusses its potential. (MBR)

Verbal transactions between students and tutors during radio tutorials for courses offered by the University of Western Australia and Murdoch University were studied to determine how the medium affected the tutorial process. It was found that radio tutorials were successful in providing students with the opportunity to participate in discussions.…

Tested the effectiveness of interactive cable television in disseminating new teaching ideas among elementary school teachers. Found an increase in the diversity of new ideas within word groups, but the increase was regulated by the group's interpersonal communication or "intermediation." Discusses conditions under which communication…

Presents several guidelines for creating lessons to teach critical thinking skills, a model lesson using these guidelines, and an analysis of the teaching strategies within the lesson that illustrates how the guidelines are applied. (HOD)