The superintendent of the Marlington Local School District (Ohio) outlines a program they have developed that encourages communication among staff, teachers, and administrators. The superintendent leads discussion groups that offer a chance to exchange views and air concerns that result in better communication patterns. (MD)

Five steps helpful to teachers in implementing a seminar (used as a teaching method with vocational students) are identified and discussed: (1) Topic selection, (2) identification of subtopics, (3) student research of subtopics, (4) reporting of information, and (5) concluding and evaluating. (TA)

This paper describes the background to the problem and methodology of a study that explored a reflective new media pedagogy through the design and production of a Web-based learning environment. This environment addresses and invites cancer patients and their supporters to question established social and cultural discourses that shape the…

This paper reports on a two-year exploratory study to determine the viability of voice-based threaded discussions forums as a means of stimulating discussion and understanding of weekly readings as part of a large undergraduate communications course. From March to June 2001, 600 students participating in a large introduction to communication…

Not only did the group sessions enable the counselor to become acquainted with more students, but it provided the opportunity for students to express themselves openly and to become less hesitant about seeking individual help from counselor and teachers. (CJ)

Usual student seminar classes involve students presenting papers to the class. Alternatives to this approach are offered that maximize student audience involvement. The suggestions incorporate variations of sub-grouping, idea generation, discussion of important statements, and the refining, clarification, and evaluation of key statements. (JMD)

An investigation of the verbal "following behaviors" of 245 third-grade children indicated that selected role-taking groups of children chose, or were chosen by the teacher, to talk following the verbal contributions of certain role groups of children while avoiding talk following the contributions of other role groups. (Author/DS)

University students participated in five weeks of education/discussion based on rational emotive theory. The results indicated increased rational thinking, decreased anxiety, and fewer reported problems. (Author)

Examines how conceptions of what it means to read and discuss literature shaped peer-led discussions in the classroom. Explores the relationship between social and interpretive expectations in the classroom and the positions students took during literature discussions. Shows that students worked to create solidarity. Complicates the role that…

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…

Teacher dialogs are a powerful staff development tool, involving a few teachers who meet during school hours on a regular basis to discuss instructional issues using a constructivist approach. The article examines ways to schedule time to maximize teacher learning and presents a model of staff development based on constructivist thinking. (SM)

A majority of 123 British elementary students surveyed rated TV/video as the most enjoyable learning mode, but only 54% felt they learned a lot; half enjoyed whole-class teaching, 63% learned a lot this way. Whole-class and small-group discussion received the lowest ratings for enjoyment and learning potential, suggesting students are not aware of…

Describes a method using small group and whole class discussions with guiding questions to enable teachers to construct successfully the concept of assumptions and develop a better appreciation of the nature and limitations of the process of scientific inquiry. (Author/SAH)

One effective instructional technique for promoting cultural awareness and understanding among elementary school students is literature discussion. Literature discussions help children explore multicultural ideas and issues, reading works of culturally relevant literature, then coming together to discuss their personal responses. Explains how to…