A study of 14 students in a business administration course shows that peer teaching and peer evaluation may enhance student motivation, satisfaction, and achievement. Learning about oneself is found to be a valuable outcome of peer teaching. Student involvement in determining evaluation criteria is encouraged. (MSE)

Research addressing the use of small, semi-independent, task-centered student groups ("syndicates") as a classroom technique in higher education is reviewed. Focus is on the promotion of higher-order cognitive skills through the use of such groups. Related concerns include student achievement, group relations, and teacher style. (Author/JMD)

Three peer tutoring methods and two group investigation approaches are examined for effects on academic achievement, students' attitudes, and ethnic relations. The five methods are: Jigsaw classroom (Aronson), Teams-Games-Tournaments (DeVries), Student Teams and Academic Division (Slavin), cooperative learning approach (Johnson), and small-group…

Subjects who were preparing to teach scored reliably higher than controls on a subsequent retention test. In experiment 2, for both a verbal and a problem-solving task, subjects either worked alone, verbalized their thoughts or taught another person the task while performing. There were no reliable differences. (Author/CP)

All medical students at the Shackler School of Medicine, Tel Aviv, who participated in a six-week psychiatric clerkship met once a week in "experimental groups." The results indicate the group was the most significant personal and learning experience of the clerkship, improving interpersonal communication, empathy and sensitivity.…

A seminar devoted to the psychological aspects of medical care has formed the major portion of the psychiatric training of primary care internal medicine residents at the Kenmore Center of the Harvard Community Health Plan. Content issues include professional identity, relationships with coworkers, and difficulties in handling patients.…

Advocates individualizing remedial writing courses at the college level and describes three programs that emphasize individual placement, focus on student writing rather than on workbook materials, and offer peer tutoring. (MKM)

An English language program at Catholic University of Sao Paulo, Brazil has sought to increase student motivation for learning communicative skills by having fourth-year students work with first year students either individually or in small groups. (SW)

Nonbilingual teachers of Spanish-speaking students can become more effective through cultural understanding and respect, learning to speak Spanish, team teaching, using bilingual teacher aides, involving parents, and peer teaching. (DD)

The performance of fifth and sixth grade Anglos and minorities were compared working in small interdependent learning groups or in traditional, teacher-focused classrooms. A covariance analysis indicated that Anglos perform equally well in both groups. Minorities performed significantly better in interdependent classes than in traditional classes.…

Examined effects of combining cross-age tutoring, peer tutoring, cooperative learning, and computer-mediated writing in a peer-assisted learning package on writing skills of second through sixth graders with learning disabilities. Found that the treatment group enjoyed working with partners, asked each other for help, had friendships extending…

Describes how a project in Great Britain designed to promote learner independence in English-as-a-foreign-language students clarified issues regarding the need to provide guidance in any student training program. Notes how e-mail and computer conferencing were used to encourage learners to work together, independent of the tutor, to learn English.…

To facilitate the integration of technology into the learning environment, the Office of Instructional Computing at the State University of New York at Stony Brook engages students as peer mentors and as technology mentors to faculty. Examines the two mentoring relationships, the design of the programs, and the pros and cons of such programs. (PEN)

A study of a junior high school inclusion program that provided four students with disabilities with nondisabled student aids found the students with disabilities experienced growth in levels of independence, social networks, academic skills, and in behavior. Describes beneficial outcomes for the student aids and contributing successful program…

Describes the feasibility of the peer leader component of a school-based nutrition intervention for young adolescents designed to increase fruit and vegetable consumption and lower fat consumption. Results from a multicomponent process evaluation involving participant feedback, observation, and teacher ratings and interviews indicated that…