Argues that focusing on perceptual learning styles builds a self-awareness that serves students well because, the more they know about their learning styles, the easier it is to apply that knowledge to learning. The article points out that this process builds classroom community and provides students with opportunities to practice their writing…

Discusses barriers to threaded-topic discussions in online teaching. Suggests a better way to enhance communication and promote collaborative learning: a jointly prepared, "shared document" format. Describes the development and use of Forum MATRIX, a software program designed to maximize the potential of the shared document format. (AEF)

Explores a discussion in a bilingual education class of Haitian students where a non-teacher-directed discussion format and an emphasis on the students' own questions encourage the use of the students' everyday ways of talking and exploring ideas. The article's analysis of a discussion shows what and how the students are learning in this context.…

The postgraduate Teacher Thinking Seminar (TTS) was created to explore the implications of constructivist theory for teachers' education and development. Using participants' own practical knowledge, the main strategy was the dialectical process of group reflection. The article elaborates four seminar examples, suggesting that TTS can effectively…

Argues for liberating factors in education (student-centered practice, open-ended discussion, and art as a subject). Describes the "Visual Thinking Strategies" teaching method, which focuses on structured but open, group discussions about diverse art objects in order to help viewers develop a rapport with art, increase aesthetic…

An interdisciplinary course centered on mathematical ideas (involving infinity and geometry) is described. The course was developed by the authors, both mathematicians, as a vehicle for engaging students in learning about mathematical ideas that are rarely found in the general undergraduate curriculum. The course was offered to honors students…

An appropriate understanding of the nature of the scientific enterprise (NOSE) is a key element of scientific literacy and can arguably be influenced through an exploration of the history of science. An elective, undergraduate History of Science course was organized in the form of small-group discussion-based inquiries into the history of science…

This article aims to reflect on the lessons learnt from using a psychodynamic approach to offering onsite therapeutic child and adolescent mental health services (CAMHS) in four pupil referral units (henceforth referred to as PRUs). The PRUs cater for six- to 16-year-old children and adolescents permanently excluded from mainstream schools. The…

This article is part of The Weekly Qualitative Report's occasional series on "How-To Collect Qualitative Data." The qualitative data collection method described is that of focused discussion groups (FDG's). This method involves the moderator, or scripter as is the preferred term in focused discussion groups, to move beyond that of a…

This article outlines Canada's first web based/residential Master of Counselling program. Since the program is open to students from around the world, the program is designed to be accessible, innovative and flexible. To meet these operational goals, the program is structured around interactive online discussion forums, video web-conferencing,…

This article summarizes the papers presented in the discussion group focused on the theme "Models for the Analysis of Individual and Group Needs" at the joint symposium of the International Association for Educational and Vocational Guidance, Society for Vocational Psychology, and National Career Development Association held in Padua,…

Teachers and administrators need opportunities to share perceptions, consider possibilities, and forge solutions. Faculty book groups are a powerful tool to create organic solutions with wide ownership. They are great for spurring true professional development. In this article, the author shares how the teachers at New City School have met…

Excerpts from current research with people who have autism using online discussion groups are provided. Two major themes emerged that focus on "expert" knowledge of autism and identity. In contrast to the image of people with autism being unable to speak for themselves, our research on chat rooms has demonstrated that these individuals are finding…

This study investigated the effects of attendance at a panel featuring gay and lesbian speakers on self-reported measures of individual homophobia. A total of 200 female and 120 male college students enrolled in human sexuality classes were randomly assigned to pretest or no pretest conditions and completed surveys before, after, and one month…

This paper describes a teacher education effort that developed conditions for teachers to be more effective learners about teaching and encouraged teachers' development of a personal understanding of educational issues. A group of teachers in one school established the Project To Enhance Effective Learning (PEEL) as an approach to encourage more…