This article describes the survey of the usability of a novel content-based video retrieval system. This system combines video streaming and an electronic bulletin board system (BBS). Comments submitted to the BBS are used to index video data. Following the development of the prototype system an experimental survey with ten subjects was performed.…

This article investigates the outcomes of a journal club on the evidence-based practice (EBP) skills of school-based practitioners. Participants' knowledge, attitudes, and perceptions of EBP were collected using pre- and postsurveys following 6 monthly journal club sessions. Participants identified time, availability of articles, and decreased…

In this article I revisit the cultures-of-use conceptual framework--that technologies, as forms and processes comprising human culture, mediate and assume variable meanings, values, and conventionalized functions for different communities (Thorne, 2003). I trace the antecedent arc of investigation and serendipitous encounters that led to the 2003…

The purpose of this paper is to explore how adult learners engage in asynchronous online discussion through the implementation of an audio-based argumentation activity. The study designed scaffolded audio-based argumentation activities to promote students' cognitive engagement. The research was conducted in an online graduate course at a liberal…

Nursing programs have embraced distance learning in their curricula, but discussion is ongoing about course assignments and grading criteria to increase examination scores in nursing distance learning courses. Because course examinations are a predictor of success on the postgraduate licensing examination (NCLEX-RN), the purpose of this study was…

A group facilitation technique called World Café usually involves dividing a large number of people into smaller groups at tables, exploring a variety of topics around a key focus, and collecting ideas from the discussions to debrief later as a large group. We used a modified version of World Café during the new Cracker Barrel session format at…

This study investigated the influence of professional development on 20 preschool teachers' use of instructional conversations in classrooms for 2- to 5-year-old children. Instructional conversation is a small group discussion that builds on children's prior knowledge to assess and assist conceptual understanding. Over a 3-year period, the…

Many faculty interpret student responses to faculty questions as evidence of an actively engaged classroom. Because of this conviction, class participation, whether graded or ungraded, appears in many course syllabi in colleges and universities and is often promoted as the responsibility of students to contribute to the learning environment. Class…

This research explored essential elements to be considered when teaching US students to develop and define creativity in the general elementary (students aged 5-11 years) music classroom. This case study focused on answering the following research questions: 1) What are students' perceptions of creativity? 2) How can music educators successfully…

This paper describes how a group of five older adults with Down's syndrome decided what they wanted from their doctor. The group worked out what they meant by health. The group also looked at what it was OK for a doctor to ask or do. They made lists of these. The group decided that being healthy means being able to do things. Feelings, of being…

This handbook presents the fundamentals of successful study circle leadership. It also includes pointers for study circle organizers and participants, concluding with a comparison of dialogue and debate--a guide for distinguishing study circles from other types of discussion. The guide contains seven sections that cover the following topics: (1)…

This guide was developed to help train leaders of small-group, democratic, highly participatory discussions known as "study circles." The guide is organized in two parts. The first part presents the basics of study circle leadership, and is written for participants in the training. It includes information on what a study circle is, tips…

This paper focuses on the selection, training, and monitoring of the small group leaders in an extensive program of sex education. It discusses leadership screening, early orientation, small group training sessions, practice leadership, supervision, evaluation, and problem solution in this highly sensitive area of sexuality. (Author)

Focuses on various levels of diabetic patients' involvement in the care of their disease and effects of these levels on how closely they later followed self-care programs. Suggests that by participating in group discussions about excuses for not following a self-care regimen, and offering solutions to counter those excuses, diabetic patients…

This article considers the experience of a long and significant relationship with a number of students at M.I.T. This student group developed an extraclinical association, and their reactions to this association are evaluated. (Author/RK)