Urges music educators and music therapists to cooperate in providing motivation for at-risk students through specially planned activities. Identifies means of meeting the risks of (1) lack of self-discipline and motivation; (2) not learning effectively; (3) alcohol and drug abuse; and (4) focus on rudimentary survival skills. (DK)

Addresses theories of organizational effectiveness, a multivariate model, and determinants for effectiveness of local school citizens' participation organizations in a metropolitan public school system by surveying 52 citizen participants. Resource acquisition and internal process effectiveness are inversely correlated with perceived need for…

Describes parent-teacher action research, a format for developing stronger parent participation and parent-teacher collaboration. Relates an actual example of action research to improve parent participation in student reading. Discusses the possible benefits of initiating action research, and details 10 steps involved in this type of action. (JB)

Discusses knowledge base development as a pedagogical activity and describes a study of eighth graders that compared three instructional conditions: (1) expert system development work; (2) problem-solving activities using computer-assisted instruction; and (3) a control group that used traditional noncomputer methods. Pretest and posttest scores…

In response to optometry student complaints about group scores as an inadequate reflection of individual effort, two different procedures for assessing individual contributions to a group learning project were investigated, one based on evaluations by students outside the group and one using student evaluations of their fellow group members'…

Discusses the use of computers in college classrooms as presentation systems, as structured laboratories, to modify traditional lectures, and for self-paced instruction. Classroom dynamics are discussed, needed curricular modifications are considered, appropriate evaluation techniques are suggested, and problems are examined, including a lack of…

Discusses the effectiveness of four models of school/agency partnerships as vehicles for professional development and educational reform--models based on level of involvement, interaction, impact, or organization. Across models, common characteristics of effective partnerships include dynamism, mutual goals, parity, and commitment. Partnerships in…

Presents a working definition of the concept of conflict and considers this phenomena from a political science, psychological, and historical perspective. Discusses conflict in terms of its nature and origin, universality, dynamics, development, and resolution. Includes a student activity illustrating each of these components. (MJP)

This study examined differences in individual influence and decision quality across communication media. Participants were 64 introductory psychology students. Results showed that influence for dominating participants remained stable across three media conditions (telephone, computer, and face-to-face). Less dominating participants had higher…

Reports research on the relationship between student interaction in freshman seminar courses and instructor techniques and interaction. Results indicate that freshmen differ significantly from upperclassmen and differ somewhat from their instructors when reporting effects of certain teaching techniques on classroom participation. Students and…

The Foxfire core practices are woven into all class activities at a multiage, inclusive K-2 class in Asheville (North Carolina), characterized by active learning, small-group work, and peer teaching. Students are more motivated and have higher self-esteem when they make decisions. All practices met the state's curriculum and testing requirements.…

Innovations in the teaching and learning strategies used in an organizational-behavior course developed for the business school of Curtin University of Technology (Australia) are detailed. Faculty (n=18) and students (n=800) involved in the course-development process were organized into semi-autonomous study groups and learned to cope with group…

Discusses a nonconfrontational approach to corporate diversity training based on Native American beliefs in the interconnectedness of all things. Don Coyhis' fourfold method of diversity training utilizes teachings, talking circle, healing circle, and cognitive self-change to help people see that dysfunctional behavior causes diversity issues and…

A diverse group of people, many from intentional communities, discuss what community means, physically, materially, and spiritually; what sustains communities; how they deal with conflict and change; the rewards of living in community; and how children are raised, educated, and supported by communities. (TD)

An interview with a mother and daughter living in an intentional community in New Hampshire explores how their choices about lifestyle have shaped them, how homeschooling worked for them, the role of other community adults in raising children, why the daughter left and later returned, and how community is more than proximity to other people. (TD)