Described and discussed is a teaching aid for use in small group communication which enalbes the instructor to provide a student with immediate feedback without interrupting the discussion in progress. (LS)

The purpose of this study was to investigate first-grade children's use of requests and responses in their homogeneous reading groups. The results showed that ability groups differed in their use of requests and responses, and that particular aspects of requests predicted obtaining appropriate responses, which were almost always "on-task."…

Sixth-grade students explore the underlying issues of two versions of the Golden Rule, the negative one viewed by Confucius as a moral prescription and the positive one viewed by Jesus as a religious prescription. (Author/RM)

Suggests that the short story, because of its brevity and simplicity of construction, is often more suitable than the novel for classroom discussion. (HOD)

Reports work on text from extended event of talking among professionals. Discusses problematic communication and implications of nonsuccess in social interaction. Believes failure in explanation or in resolving competing claims implies need for more adequate cognitive and cultural models of participants' knowledge and practices; theoretical…

Techniques for achieving control of and producing results from task-oriented meetings with peers are discussed, including acquiring a perceived mandate, structuring attendance, and developing a working, narrative agenda. A productivity matrix correlates meeting activities with appropriate group leadership behaviors. (SK)

The establishment of a mental health clinic in a community recreational park is described. (JD)

Discusses newsgroups, listservs, and Web-based discussion groups. Highlights include major categories of international USENET discussion groups; newsgroups versus mailing lists; newsreaders; news servers; newsgroup subscriptions; newsgroups versus Web discussion groups; linking newsgroups, mailing lists, and the Web; and setting up a news host. A…

Offers an "unabashed hymn of praise" to the National Endowment for the Humanities for its Summer Seminars for Secondary Teachers. Describes the pleasures, discoveries, and enriching conversations that have taken place at these seminars over the last 11 years. (TB)

Describes a strategy for improving the quality of class discussions. States two reasons why class discussions can be unsatisfying: (1) individual contributions are emphasized more than the merits of collective discussion; and (2) discussion performance is emphasized over development of discussion skills. Describes a student exercise to overcome…

Surveys, notes, and transcripts from 35 business administration students participating in group learning via chat rooms were analyzed. Qualitative and quantitative data indicated that electronic conferencing can effectively support groups in reflection, collective inquiry, and skillful discussion. (Contains 21 references.) (SK)

Defines "community conversations" as discussions which take place after performances in communal spaces, with audience members and artists speaking as equals. Outlines egalitarian qualities which define the best community conversations. Proposes that when an academic program or cultural institution is reconsidering its role in the community, a…

This study investigated Korean kindergartners' reasoning during group moral discussions of problematic situations based on pictures depicting problem situations. Findings revealed that young children were able to reason about others' perspectives, acknowledge problematic situations, grasp the causes of the problems, predict consequences, and seek…

Describes the incorporation of thematic teaching into the author's Reading-Writing Workshop class. Shares a few activities from one coming-of-age unit that increased engagement and helped students generate writing topics that genuinely interested them and related to the same theme. (SG)