Argues for paradigm shift in how mental health professionals approach their work with psychiatric patients in midst of suicidal crisis and suggests that time has come to discuss standard of care based on integration of detected risk factors, effective education and training in suicidology, and routine use of consultation and teamwork. (Author/NB)

This paper describes a continuing psychotropic drug review process at a community-based agency serving individuals with mental retardation. The goals of establishing data-based interdisciplinary team review, utilizing concurrent alternative treatments, and prescribing psychotropic medication at the lowest effective dosage only to those individuals…

A third grade teacher examines the effects of cooperative teaching in a two-teacher classroom. After discussing teacher roles in such classrooms, the paper describes how the advantages of such a system greatly outweigh the disadvantages. The paper presents keys to a successful teaching partnership and describes several models for lesson…

After 110 business students participated in collaborative learning activities, male attitudes toward work groups became significantly more positive, females' less. Those reporting mostly positive group experiences preferred collaborative working styles; those rating the experience as "just OK" preferred working alone or with one other person. (SK)

Describes a model for conducting functional assessment in the home. The model uses a trans-disciplinary technical-assistance team to assess and plan interventions for young children with severe challenging behaviors. Discussion includes the kind of information needed, specific examples of data collection in the home, and the benefits and barriers…

Describes how secondary teachers can use cooperative learning groups to enhance students' health-related cultural awareness. Students work in teams to complete various activities and projects that introduce them to health problems prevalent among specific U.S. groups and the community health methods used to address the problems. Throughout the…

In eight multidisciplinary teams, 50 health care professionals participated in a case-management workshop. Pre/posttest data revealed significant changes in knowledge and more value placed on cost monitoring. These improvements did not vary by type of hospital, profession, or experience. (SK)

Presents information to facilitate ideal family involvement in early intervention. Strategies for conducting family assessments while building collaborative partnerships with families are presented. Characteristics which produce effective collaborative partnerships are reviewed, and the reality of working with families is presented through two…

In this interview, Dr. Richard Van Acker discusses federal requirements for functional behavioral assessments (FBAs) and the teamwork involved in conducting an FBA. Various components of FBAs and the approximate time required are outlined and examples are provided of structured data collection for use in the FBA. (CR)

Presents the T.E.A.M. (Together Everyone Achieves More) approach for implementing distance-learning technology in a secondary-school setting. The roles of the T.E.A.M. members (i.e., broadcasting teacher, technician, librarian, classroom teacher, administrator, and teacher-trainer) are described, and advantages of this approach are summarized.…

Describes nine group problem-solving and communication initiatives used in adventure- and experiential-education settings. Includes target group, group size, time and space requirements, activity level, props, instructions, and tips for post-activity group reflection and processing. Activities emphasize teamwork, communication skills, and a…

Occupational and physical therapy students (n=78) were assigned to pairs based on learning style (both abstract-experimentation, both reflective-observation, or mixed). On a collaborative exercise, mixed pairs did not perform significantly better than homogenous ones. Pairs' average grades correlated strongly with performance, suggesting that…

Describes how camp counselors can foster camaraderie among campers through participative decision making, name games, listening, adventure courses, storytelling, spending time in nature, decorating cabins, avoiding favoritism, setting rules, admitting faults, setting group goals, and praising sincere efforts. (TD)

Describes, in the words of two Australian authors (one Aboriginal and one European-Australian), how they work together when they write books together, and how their collaboration goes beyond the two of them. (SR)

Describes a pedagogical approach in which college students learn through working on research and projects in teams, an approach especially beneficial to commuter students who have difficulty forming learning groups. Explains the approach's conceptual framework, use of the approach in different types of courses, the value of learning through…