This paper discusses the technical features necessary for a good World Wide Web (WWW) discussion forum, the fact that it should be seen as part of a more general cooperative space, and psycho-sociological aspects that are essential for success. The first section introduces the paper and lists reasons why newsgroups are generally more successful…

Reports work on text from extended event of talking among professionals. Discusses problematic communication and implications of nonsuccess in social interaction. Believes failure in explanation or in resolving competing claims implies need for more adequate cognitive and cultural models of participants' knowledge and practices; theoretical…

Techniques for achieving control of and producing results from task-oriented meetings with peers are discussed, including acquiring a perceived mandate, structuring attendance, and developing a working, narrative agenda. A productivity matrix correlates meeting activities with appropriate group leadership behaviors. (SK)

Offers an "unabashed hymn of praise" to the National Endowment for the Humanities for its Summer Seminars for Secondary Teachers. Describes the pleasures, discoveries, and enriching conversations that have taken place at these seminars over the last 11 years. (TB)

Instructional objectives for teaching with case studies are outlined, and techniques for using case studies are described. Combinations of objectives and methods for different situations are explored, and suggestions for practitioners on effective use of different case study types, with different populations, and at different phases of management…

Revising reading program can breathe new life into the classroom and increase students' confidence. This paper describes how one teacher decided to refine her reading curriculum. She had five non-negotiables for the curriculum: the need for self-selection of quality literature; volume of reading; peer interaction; individual conferences; and…

This article proposes a model that integrates the traditionally conflicting objectivist and constructivist approaches to instructional design. I argue that these two approaches are complementary rather than oppositional. I present and analyze two learning programs in order to show how learning events can contain both objectivist and constructivist…

Recent years have been marked by a decline in the quantity and quality of small group research for four reasons: (1) the experimenter is an integral component of the system he or she is studying and thereby influences the findings, (2) layers of group process defy complete analysis, (3) small group research is reflexive, and (4) much of the…

Explains how teachers can help their students to explore trickster tales by reading those tales written down, gathering those passed on by word of mouth, writing some of their own, and considering what these tales tell their readers about the real world. Provides suggestions for a coordinated group discussion of trickster tales. (TB)

States that the contrast of face-to-face communication with computer-mediated communication (CMC), either experimentally or experientially, may be a valuable way for teaching group dynamics and group decision making in educational settings. Suggests several ways to facilitate the use of CMC in single-session experimental and experiential…

How should a teacher respond when a student makes off-base guesses about meaning in a literary text because that learner is trying to genuinely understand the story rather than find the "right" meaning? Aukerman argues that when teachers jump in to correct students' interpretations, they short-circuit students' processes of reading and thinking.…

A. Pollatsek, E. D. Reichle, and K. Rayner argue that the critical findings in A. W. Inhoff, B. M. Eiter, and R. Radach are in general agreement with core assumptions of sequential attention shift models if additional assumptions and facts are considered. The current authors critically discuss the hypothesized time line of processing and indicate…

The peer-group method of composition instruction represents the quintessence of the "environmental" mode of teaching which brings teacher, student, and materials more nearly into balance. Responding to recent criticisms of peer-response groups, a model was developed to establish a middle course, balancing (1) philosophical stances; (2)…

Information and suggestions are provided on the use of team learning in large college classes. Introductory material discusses the negative cycle of student-teacher interaction that may be provoked by large classes, and the use of permanent, heterogeneous, six- or seven-member student learning groups as the central focus of class activity as a…

Peer writing groups help students to write personally satisfying, communicative prose by allowing them to get away from competition for grades and from the fear and authority carried by the teacher. The writing group approach builds into the writing process the opportunity for revision and feedback before submitting a paper to the teacher for a…