Tested the use of interviews, specifically the Focus Group Interview technique, to generate information about how high communication apprehensives (CAs) characterize their attitudes, experiences, and behaviors. Found that much of what high CAs said about themselves corresponds with what has been conceptualized and tested quantitatively about…

Suggests combining the Delphi technique and the nominal group process technique to improve the collective decision-making of school curriculum and other committees. Both methods require group members to respond in writing. A five-step agenda with sample questions illustrates the approach. (MLF)

Provides an overview of Kohlberg's five stages of moral reasoning and Damon's levels of positive justice. Argues that a conditioning approach to moral development is inadequate, suggesting teaching methods for facilitating moral development based on helping children understand principles and reasons. (RH)

Two experimental groups and a control group were used to evaluate a comprehensive group discussion program and an individual briefing program's effect upon the retire- ment experience. Questionnaire data were collected prior to program initiation and again six years later. Posttest data indicate no significant effect of either program. (Author)

Presents techniques for stimulating and managing worthwhile class discussion sessions. (Editor/SJL)

Analyzes ways to lead group discussions of literature. Offers suggestions on what questions to ask and how to keep the discussion a stimulating experience for the participants. (RL)

It is helpful to elicit sentences using "binders" and to examine their properties together, especially when the indigenous language has textual and logical processes different from those of English. Such a procedure increases students' awareness of the delicacy of the clause/sentence grammar which pivots around these difficult words. (Author)

Discusses using two class periods to discuss a short story--the first to discuss individually chosen material related to the story, author, or setting; the second to discuss the story itself with references to the related readings. Also discusses related writing assignments. (TJ)

Describes preparation and implementation of a lesson using student activity, material in the textbook, and the concept of the time line to teach the chronological order of events in history. The lesson is designed for use by junior high school students during one class period. (CK)

The use of a group process approach to social problem solving with 32 12- and 13-year-old hearing impaired adolescents is described. It is explained that the classroom meetings lasted about 15 minutes and that the initial sessions focused on student's reactions to the class bully. The roles of the teacher in the group are discussed. (PHR)

Describes a group discussion process for helping students make use of the vocabulary that normally lies dormant in their minds. (TJ)

With the energy crisis still very much with us, here is a program that is getting New Jersey's students involved in energy conservation. (Editor)

In an attempt to develop a widely applicable, practical means of reducing students' alienation from school, family, and community by increasing self-ideal congruence, encounter groups were offered as elective courses to 10th-grade students; results suggest limited positive results. (MM)

Examines the effect of communication media on group processes and the consequent effect of processes on group cohesiveness, satisfaction, and productivity using mediated regression analysis. Supports previous findings about group outcomes by showing that communication media groups expressed lower cohesiveness than did face-to-face groups. (AEF)

This group of classroom tips discusses the benefits of peer coaching, peer group conversation about teachers' classroom experiences, using visual displays for collegial sharing, using cultural brokers in educational settings, and the role of picture books in developing literacy skills in diverse students with disabilities. (Author/CK)