A continuing education manager used the literature-based concept of self-managed work teams to reorganize the department, resulting in better productivity, financial solvency, and better customer focus and responsiveness. However, not all managers wanted to share power, and not all employees wanted to be empowered. (SK)

Members of 24 work groups (n=186) were randomly assigned to facilitated team building with computers; facilitated team building without computers; or meetings without facilitators or computers. Both facilitated groups rated group process higher, but the positive effects did not last over time. (SK)

A postgraduate training course in the interdisciplinary project approach for environmental science specialists emphasized the following critical elements: high degree of organization, feedback on actual practice from experts, cyclical working methods, project planning techniques, and product-oriented thinking. (SK)

To eliminate duplication and underutilization of student services, a South Carolina high school formed a student services committee composed of all service providers (principal, assistant principals, guidance counselors, psychologists, at-risk coordinator, computer specialist, and nurse). The group focused on needs assessment and team-building,…

Shows that self-assessments of leader performance were more favorable than assessments by team members for 12 of 13 measured dimensions of leader behavior. Finds agreement of leader strengths and weaknesses, but less agreement of the effect of specific leader behaviors on team performance. (SR)

Discusses CD-ROM development, including common production terms (data acquisition, rights acquisition, data conversion, indexing, authoring, premastering, image building, replication); describes the roles of project team members (script writers, artists, designers, programmers, managers, distributors); and explains the differences between CD-ROM…

Action Reflection Learning uses group activities to develop critical reflection skills. Because learning takes place in teams working on real-world problems, it can lead to systems change and organizational capacity development. (SK)

The relative impacts of cooperative and competitive efforts on problem-solving success were explored in a review of 46 studies. Findings from these studies were categorized by problem-solving type and subjected to a meta-analysis. Members of cooperative teams outperformed competitive individuals on the identified types of problem solving. (SLD)

The Myers Briggs Type Indicator is useful for team building and strengthening communication. However, it is misused if used for employee selection or for stereotyping. Managers should be trained in its proper use. (SK)

Finds that both experienced scientists and college students found it difficult to carry out intellectual teamwork involving collaboratively authored documents without the interactivity and expressiveness permitted by face-to-face communication. (SR)

Taylorism (rewards based on merit) and tracking in high schools should be abolished because these practices alienate successful students from less successful ones and encourage elitism instead of egalitarianism. Curriculum integration may be achieved by creating opportunities for student interaction in various existing subject areas. Teamwork and…

Curriculum integration is a systemic phenomenon that traverses both traditional and nontraditional territories. Scottsdale (Arizona) Public Schools' strategic plan includes curriculum integration elements in seven categories--community relations, curriculum and instruction, funding, human resources, management, communication, and technology. The…

The Cooperative Learning Project Staff at Cleveland State University studied implementation effects of training and support teams on cooperative learning at nine middle schools. Findings showed that administrators should be trained with teachers and must shape an appropriate environment, recognize the importance of support teams, provide necessary…

Offers specific advice for technical writers on how to deal with five different kinds of difficult writing projects and/or clients: the reluctant client, the disorganized client, time-resource crunches, differing visions, and an unstable product. (SR)

The quality movement in U.S. organizations does not have to deteriorate to a fad if there is real commitment to innovation and continuous improvement. The quality movement has the potential to enable process improvements, breakthrough thinking, and mutual accountability of individuals and teams. (SK)