Habermas's theory of dialogue was used to evaluate the process of decision making that occurred in a labor-management committee's meeting to discuss flextime. The study attempted to determine why, at that meeting, the committee's consensus process of decision making failed. W.R. Bion's theory of unconscious group motives was also used to…

Since the early 1980s the evolution of computer mediated communications (CMC) systems designed to support collaborative work has been characterized by two trends. One is the proliferation of new systems to take advantage of technological changes; the second is the incorporation of functionality into highly specialized or tailored application…

A white administrator of an expanding social welfare agency shares some of the problems and successes in overcoming racial prejudice within himself and among his staff members. (CS)

Reports on a series of discussion sessions held with three groups of fathers at the University of Washington's Child Development Center, which offered a mutually supportive atmosphere so fathers could share concerns and feelings about their children and at the same time, obtain appropriate information and guidance. (CS)

Reflective journals have been used widely in teacher education programs to promote reflective thinking (Freidus, 1998; Carter & Francis, 2000; Yost, Senter & Forlenzo-Bailey, 2000). Smyth (1992) advocated that posing a series of questions to be answered in written journals could enhance reflective thinking. It was for this reason that…

Voluntarily initiated student verbal behaviors originating during classroom communication related to values awareness are identified, defined, and illustrated by examples. These behaviors are: (1) focus setting; (2) reporting course of action; (3) reporting value judgment; (4) reporting value; (5) reporting prediction; (6) reporting data; and (7)…

The author discusses two essential ingredients of a school program for behaviorally handicapped adolescents--the work experience program and group evaluation meetings. It is noted that these components help to provide experiences and develop behaviors that are relevant to the world of work and meet the unique needs of the young adolescent…

The study investigated the learning and attitudes of individuals in an individualized computer-assisted instruction (CAI) setting using a specially designed group CAI program to permit the entry and evaluation of responses from each group member. Results suggest that individuals in groups learn as well as individuals working alone with…

If teachers are to use the technique of small group work in their classrooms, students need to be prepared emotionally and cognitively for such a learning technique. In this article three phases are described which help students become more comfortable and more skilled in working in small groups. (Editor)

Analyzes sensitivity training and problem-solving discussion groups by examining the group goals, feedback processes, developmental tendencies and leadership qualities. Focus points for future research are suggested. (MH)

An example of how the quality of research on small groups could be enhanced is to develop a framework of scholarship around a series of hierarchical guiding questions concerning the functions of communication in the small group, the characteristics of the behavior and of the producers of that behavior that determine the extent to which particular…

While this book is focused primarily on the tutorials held in the British universities, it offers many insights that can improve the teaching in the discussion sections so common in our large universities. Introductions to analyses of group processes of technical language, and of questions are given. Lesson plans for skill building sessions are…

When composition teachers use their own essays as models for students' writing, they provide a process for students to learn and a product for their imitation. The models can be both readable and related to the mode currently being studied while also being vehicles for making the teacher more "vulnerable" to the students. The process described by…

Developed out of a workshop conducted during the summer of 1965, this guide provides introductory information in areas pertinent to the study of the culturally deprived youth, raises questions for discussion or future exploration, examines some aspects of fair employment for minority groups, and supplies a relevant bibliography. A comprehensive…