Argues that cooperative learning activities such as small group activities are important in social studies classes because they enhance text comprehension, nurture interaction skills, develop democratic behavior, and actively involve the students. (RS)

Describes two approaches to introducing a novel to elementary students. Maintains that the second approach, which encourages reader response, is more effective than the first, which mandates the learning of 100 new vocabulary words. Describes a discussion technique based on a "discussion web" or map of possibilities that helps students to explore…

The group discussion test has gained prominence as a measure of oral interaction skills in second-language learning. This article reviews test types and administration, the communicative nature of the test, development of criteria and rating scales, and advantages. A sample rating scale is appended. (Contains 15 references.) (LB)

The Front Range Critical Studies Group, comprised of four California State University teacher educators, aims to provide a scholarly, informal forum for interdisciplinary discussion of theoretical, political, and cultural issues. The group facilitates collegial scholar/student relationships, promotes enlightened discussion through lecture series…

According to this author, professional development in most school districts usually is not what teachers call worthwhile. Most is mandatory and tied to the latest literacy "fix," new district systems, text adoptions and occasionally, a speaker who has something new to share. She contends that meaningful professional development should be an…

An instructor's teaching practices have been influenced by Edward T. Hall's theory in "Beyond Culture," which begins with the notion that "what is known least well and is therefore in the poorest position to be studied is what is closest to oneself," the "unconscious patterns that control us." This wisdom has been…

In the first section of this monograph, the reasons why the personal nature of teaching makes it relatively impervious to outside influences are explored. It is suggested that change in education occurs only when the individual teacher changes. Educational innovation is viewed as a matter of facilitating and sustaining modification in the…

While elementary school teachers are concerned for and involved in the affective world of children, some elementary educators fear or distrust group affective approaches. It may be the case that they lack understanding and skills in the use of affective curricula. William Glasser's guides for classroom meetings, designed to increase and promote…

A sequel to an article appearing in the previous issue of this journal, this article continues to report on a meeting in which journalism advisers discussed problems they had in common. (DF)

Reports on a meeting in which journalism advisers discussed problems they had in common. (DF)

Outlines aims of professional conferences and discusses conferences as learning experiences and change agents. Discussion of conference focuses on ways to improve conferencing activities, participant preparation, and conference planning and organization. Appendices contain outlines of objectives of a conference on teaching and learning and a…

Literature circles generally involve four or five students who are actively engaged in cooperative learning. Learners choose a library book to read based on interest. The same titled paperback might be discussed by participants in the literature circle. Alternative suggestions for literature circles include choosing a library book on a similar…

Discusses three models of consultation and their assumptions regarding the roles and responsibilities of evaluation consultants, suggests collaborative approaches as appropriate for evaluating the internal functioning of distance education programs, and presents the application of a collaborative model to the selection of evaluation issues at…

Discusses a teacher's difficulties in using reader response approaches to engage her students at an urban alternative high school. Examines their resistances to discussion and personal response. Offers a few approaches the teacher has been trying, with some success, to overcome these resistances. (TB)

Discusses why many nonnative-English-speaking students have difficulty participating in academic group discussions and explores culturally based perceptions of silence and reticence and the nature of group discussion. Pedagogical directions are offered that course planners, academic advisors, and language teachers can follow to help students to…