Analyzed group discussions associated with 68 high-quality and 29 low-quality decisions made by comparably informed groups using cross-contact comparison. Found vigilance, second-guessing, and accurate information processing associated with high-quality decisions; faulty information processing and improbable fantasy chains with low-quality…

Ten fourth and fifth grade teachers, after two training workshops, led discussions of critical thinking with groups of six children from their own classes. Audiotape analysis revealed differences in teacher and pupil participation before and after the training. Results and implications for teaching thinking skills are presented. (Author/MT)

The reader's role in constructing stories is explored, and the role of participants in shaping a group text is examined. Parts of discussions by two groups of eighth-graders are reproduced and interpreted. (MT)

Supports the "functional" view that it is the satisfaction of critical task requirements (or conditions), rather than the discussion procedures that are employed to do so, that actually determines whether a group will arrive at a low- or high-quality decision. (PD)

Ten children's books portraying positive images of learning disabled children are listed and procedures for facilitating discussion of the books with the entire class are outlined. (CL)

This paper describes a six-week series designed to address the issues of the women's movement, and the relevance it may be having on the personal lives and choices of women attending the course. Participants' responses indicate that it fulfilled important functions of information dissemination and self-exploration opportunities. (NG)

This paper describes the use of focus groups as a qualitative research method. The focus group is a carefully designed discussion that allows people to express their points of view and provide researchers with indicators of program impact. Participants in focus groups possess certain characteristics related to the subject under study. They are…

This paper discusses the technical features necessary for a good World Wide Web (WWW) discussion forum, the fact that it should be seen as part of a more general cooperative space, and psycho-sociological aspects that are essential for success. The first section introduces the paper and lists reasons why newsgroups are generally more successful…

This article reports on the contents, processes, and outcomes of one mode of inservice training: the two-day workshop. (Author)

It is the purpose of this article to explore poetry as a means of stimulating group development toward increasing directness of expression. (Author)

Author considers the value of in-basket programs. (RK)

Authors offer seven content manipulation techniques teachers can use successfully in leading discussions in almost any classroom situation. (GB)

Because of lack of funds and the failure of the mass literacy campaign, the government of Indonesia has concentrated on the consolidation of literacy by organizing reading groups of neo-literates. Reading materials are obtained from all technical departments concerned with rural development. (EB)

The retail sales person will not retain and use much more than can be communicated in 90 minutes; therefore, retail training meetings must be more effective. (EB)