Discusses a Christian adventure program that uses quotations and stories from the New Testament to tie group experiences to Christian teachings about loving one's neighbor, taking risks, working together, respect, actions in a crisis, unselfishness, contemplation, reflection and prayer, and forgiveness. Emphasizes the experiential teachings of…

Lists and discusses the functions that cooperative quizzes can serve if structured correctly. The quizzes can facilitate a greater understanding of the subject, promote better test-taking skills, and be used as a mechanism to foster cooperative groups. (DDR)

Solutions for evaluating student team members who do not contribute equally include the following: eliminate group projects, monitor group meetings, build teamwork skills, give all members the same grade, and have students evaluate other members' contributions. A survey of 68 students found that 80% were not motivated by peer evaluation but…

Explores how university disability professionals can assist advertising or public relations campaigns teachers in accommodating the Learning Disabled (LD) student in the team or group-based learning situation to foster a cooperative environment among students and faculty. Attempts to open the discussion about what faculty should consider when…

A team of faculty from medicine, nursing, public health, and social work established a common goal, developed a team process, created a team model, and developed community support networks to provide interdisciplinary education. Components included a course in culturally sensitive care, summer scholars practicum, and community-based projects. (SK)

The push to implement classroom technology, regardless of cost or real benefit, often intrudes on making wise choices. Strong technology candidates will provide a compelling extension to ongoing classroom work, be good curriculum enhancers, offer cost-effective software and equipment options, and offer a gentle professional-development learning…

To improve board-administrator relations, superintendents should establish a firm foundation for teamwork, nurture mutual respect and support, understand their roles, be a supercoach, encourage frequent, two-way communication, avoid surprises, discourage micromanagement, avoid wasting teammates' time, tackle conflict, and assess the team's…

This article discusses challenges in using participatory action research (PAR) in the evaluation of programs that provide services and supports to people with severe disabilities. Challenges include the need for modification of the model, time constraints, issues around power and position, and inclusion of individuals with severe disabilities.…

This commentary discusses the successful partnership between the parents and the school in addressing the challenging behaviors of a 9-year-old boy with severe disabilities. Stages of the successful partnership and characteristics of behavior support plans that have good contextual fit are described. (Author/CR)

Roberta Guaspari-Tzavoras teaches 125 young violinists in 2 East Harlem elementary schools. Students are chosen by lottery. The only prerequisite is a willingness to do the hard work of practicing and learning. Her success in coaching inner-city students to a performance in Carnegie hall is the subject of a documentary and a feature film. (MLF)

Initiating improved models of teacher practice requires a series of resolutions to guide staff-development efforts. The revamped scenario sets priorities among all the teacher's essential roles and responsibilities: learning, instructing, planning, writing, coaching, tutoring, and studying. Teacher competence and quality are also priorities. (MLH)

Describes a Texas principal's experience of overseeing the consolidation of three elementary schools into a larger facility for nearly 1,000 students. The 3 years spent designing, building, and moving into the new facility were both exhilarating and exhausting. Advice on handling frustrations is provided. (MLH)

This case study of Fairchild Semiconductor, a global company, illustrates how leadership training that stresses personal mastery (the ability to achieve a vision through recognizing and addressing individual and team obstacles) can lead to performance improvement. Topics include management skills; change agents; team and individual goals; and…

Provides instructional developers' (ID) insights and observations based on the experiences of a training and development organization, Sprint's University of Excellence (UE), as it evolved from a small group of 20-25 individuals in 1990 to a large business unit comprising almost 400 individuals in 1999. Discussion includes course development…

Reviews advantages and disadvantages of group projects. Reviews basic tenets of teamwork design, including the "forming, storming, norming, and performing" stages of team development. Notes that carefully defined teams and projects may offer a solution. Includes a 28-item bibliography of helpful resources for teamwork. (SR)