A format for a small-group teaching session is described that could be modified for any subject in a medical curriculum. The technique discussed uses subgroups and a simple recording chart that have been successful in teaching microbiology to medical students. (LBH)

Presents exercises designed to make argument and discussion easier by situating them in institutional events where argument could be expected to happen: the governmental commission, the school board meeting, the congressional hearing. Shows how these imaginary places allow for creating three role play situations for different college classes. (PA)

Presents a description and qualitative case study of three high school classrooms, in two of which the teachers actively elicited student dialog and thereby improved writing. Draws on M. Bakhtin, R. Rommetveit and Y. M. Lotman to suggest that a combination of writing and dialogue (spoken interaction) lead to more chances to learn than either…

Contains a number of short testimonials from writing educators about the value of computers. Discusses macros, key-word searching, cutting and pasting in electronic mail, online discussions, and the distance classroom. (TB)

Talks about how a teacher has changed her ideas over the course of her career and learned to grow with the times. Describes the process of professional growth and what is necessary for it to happen. (TB)

Discusses the challenge of assessing collaborative work, such as literature circles. Suggests the best way to evaluate literature circles is a legitimate performance assessment created by the students. Concludes that the rubric-creating exercise itself is a review of good reading and discussion habits. (PM)

Discussion of research traditions in education focuses on an analysis of the effectiveness of two research strategies, an individual debriefing interview and a group colloquium. Explores the results within two literatures: the literature of interviewing, including focus groups; and the literature of higher education on the relation between…

Considers how the "Readers Are Survivors" program encourages students to become lifelong readers, and focuses on the value of providing families with a way to actually communicate about something other than homework, chores, and curfews. Presents a description of what has evolved over the past three years in this program. Suggests that…

Adult day care center incorporated feelings group into daily program, based on Yalom's focus group model. Group discussion encourages communication, understanding, and trust, and buffers the effects of physical and emotional losses sustained by participants. Anticipated outcomes include increased self-esteem, decreased loneliness, and regained…

Argues that writing students can be their own best critics, if teachers allow them to be. Describes a class in which students were assigned to write and discuss commentaries of their work. Explains that the procedure helps student and teacher alike to identify writing problems. (SG)

Evaluates how simulations of varying complexity are used for various purposes in the process of management development. Explains the theoretical rationale for the use of simulations as research tools to study managerial behavior, as assessment devices, and as learning experiences. Evaluates the appropriateness of using simulations in management…

Describes dilemma discussion approach used in 10-session program, based largely on cognitive-developmental theory, that is aimed at helping middle school students progress in their reasoning about using drugs. Ways in which the program provides students with opportunities to examine their current reasoning on drug use, consider peer perspectives,…

Argues that cooperative learning activities such as small group activities are important in social studies classes because they enhance text comprehension, nurture interaction skills, develop democratic behavior, and actively involve the students. (RS)

Research from social psychology on the effects of group discussion and of exposure to the opinions of other group members on the decisions groups make is reviewed. The pertinence of this research to standard-setting practices is considered, and the implications for the design of standard-setting procedures are explored. (SLD)

A variation of the Nominal Group Technique (NGT) for use in a needs assessment with key informants is described. The Missouri Department of Mental Health's planning staff, using the NGT, compiled key decision makers' perceptions of regional needs. The NGT helped in prioritizing the issues for each region. (TJH)