States that advertising educators have been concerned with the lack of cooperation between advertising and marketing disciplines. Describes a cross-functional educational experiment in which two instructors (one from marketing and one from advertising) formed cross-functional teams for two projects. Concludes that the experiment was successful,…

When transitional programs are left to chance, there is no guarantee that such programs will be effective. This article describes two articulation teams' efforts to meet the needs of students entering and leaving a Baltimore, Maryland, middle school. The two-tiered program helped relieve students' anxieties, introduced them to teachers and staff,…

Analyzes the communicative activities of a project team in a large corporation in the computer industry, exploring the relationship of written text and authority. Discusses how written text is used in a number of specific ways to maintain group authority. (SR)

Biggest obstacle to Eugene, Oregon's plans to integrate middle school curricula is finding time to enable staff to develop a common vision of the future to build upon. Despite adoption of a flexible scheduling pattern, more time is needed for staff development, training, and cooperative instructional unit development. Creating teaching teams to…

Describes differences between total quality management and self-directed teams in terms of job design, decision making, flexibility, supervision, labor relations, quality, customers, and training. Offers suggestions for which method to choose when. (SK)

Boldt et al. describe economic resources available on the Internet and illustrate ways to integrate the information into introductory courses. Baker shows how to use electronic mail to expand student-teacher involvement and group interaction/teamwork. (SK)

This article presents a family-centered perspective in rehabilitation of individuals with cognitive-communicative impairments following traumatic brain injury (TBI). The approach focuses on capacity rather than dysfunction in families and includes family members as collaborators in rehabilitation. Suggestions for understanding family responses to…

Teams avoid pitfalls of hierarchies but have their own drawbacks related to five categories: leadership, accountability, the nature of the task, multiskilling, and human imperfection. Instead of being viewed as a panacea, teams should be recognized as another way of organizing human beings to get the job done. (JOW)

Used correctly, teams can increase productivity, raise morale, and spur innovation. Tips for effective teams include using the right team to do the right job, creating a hierarchy of teams, building an atmosphere of trust, and addressing interpersonal issues. (SK)

Explores how schools and community agencies collaborate to meet needs of at-risk youth, focusing on four youth services teams located in two rural Oregon counties. Challenges included loose structure, lack of defined objectives, lack of common understanding of related roles and responsibilities, school leadership burden, time management, need for…

An administrator of Honda of America suggests that the ability to function as part of a team and to communicate effectively are crucial skills needed in today's workplace. Indicates that employers' primary concern is that new workers meet customer expectations through the mastery of skills. (JOW)

Four conclusions were reached through case studies of four production improvement teams: (1) collective production of new knowledge requires active and reflective work; (2) members with insufficient formal power have difficulties with such work; (3) technical knowledge production occurs only when power differences are controlled; and (4) social…

Notes that practice of geriatrics frequently involves interdisciplinary team and that behavior of team members exists on functional continuum, from adaptive to maladaptive. Sees danger of team members with maladaptive behavior, and persons colluding with this behavior, negatively influencing care. Categorizes common maladaptive behavior patterns…

Examines some problems of meanings and values that can occur regarding such widely used management terms as "power,""teamwork," and "quality" from both a "moral law" and "role-theory" viewpoint. Advocates a critical-ethical alternative to narrowly economic notions of educational management.…

A research psychologist at Princeton (Ohio) City Schools attributes district success to a polished management by objectives (MBO) approach helping educators set priorities, stay focused, and meet educational goals. Steps for determining district needs, developing objectives, and monitoring progress are provided. Schools have flexibility to tackle…