The East Lansing Public Schools, Michigan, have improved faculty morale, improved instruction, and helped establish positive contacts with community members through a professional reading and discussion program for teachers. (Author/MT)

This paper explores how faculty from various disciplines at one southeastern university used the threaded discussion group feature of such integrated Web packages as FrontPage, Blackboard, and WebCT. Ten faculty members from the colleges of Arts and Sciences, Business, Education, Communication, Engineering, and Nursing were surveyed. Qualitative…

Examines changes in disciplinary identity demonstrated in the discourse of several Internet discussion groups and suggests the need for interdisciplinary collaboration to address digital storage and retrieval problems. Highlights include the culture of intellectual disciplines and the organization of knowledge; the culture of the Internet; and…

Small groups of gifted high school students meet weekly during lunch periods to have topical discussions, with the goals of developing self-awareness and affirming capability. As the school year progresses, the group discussions become less structured, with more free-wheeling exchange. Topics include learning styles, stress, suicide, and college…

Adult developmental theory can help learners see how motivation changes across the life cycle. Class-discussion groups focused on these theories raise awareness of what learners value or need at different stages as well as of the diverse life experiences of others. (SK)

Investigated British teachers' use of an online discussion group over 2 years. Results indicate that, although the online forum was widely used as both an information and empathetic exchange resource, many claims of establishing collectively- focused virtual communities of teachers remain exaggerated, as the forum was limited by various caveats…

A Talking Circle incorporates traditions from various Native American tribes and represents the practice of gathering as a community to solve problems, and the practice of respectful listening. This article describes the benefits of introducing students to a Talking Circle as a way of creating community in the classroom. Having a weekly class…

An excerpt from a round-table discussion with students of several colleges in Florida on whether to support electronic media integration to their learning and campus experiences is presented. Mirella Avesani, one of the four student participants claims that it is important to have open access to computers and related software to complement class…

Per definition, CSCL research deals with the data of individuals nested in groups, and the influence of a specific learning setting on the collaborative process of learning. Most well-established statistical methods are not able to analyze such nested data adequately. This article describes the problems which arise when standard methods are…

This newsletter presents an introduction to the Internet. A definition of the Internet and its three principle uses--electronic mail, USENET newsgroups, and information files--are provided. A discussion on how to explore the Internet includes equipment needs, university Internet accounts, commercial vendors, navigating the Internet through the…

The outline of a workshop for teachers on the mainstreaming of handicapped juvenile delinquents is presented. Fourteen true/false statements are listed as the basis for a discussion on effective methods of combating juvenile delinquency. A section on icebreaking techniques presents 23 icebreakers, such as showing a film. The matching questions…

This collection of notes for novice conference planners provides information explaining the process of planning and implementing a statewide conference on families. Topics such as building preparation, exhibits and displays, finances, interpreters, keynote speaker, lunch and coffee breaks, funding and personnel as well as program scheduling and…

Dialogue with Researchers is a research dissemination program The George Washington University Rehabilitation Research and Training Center has used during the past three years. This program offers researchers the opportunity to discuss their project with a small group of rehabilitation practitioners in an informal setting in the practitioners'…

Describes the function of the Institute of Theoretical Physics at the University of California, Santa Barbara. Its establishment and the interests of some of the researchers there, are discussed. (SA)

Discussion of how information technology affects higher education focuses on ethical dilemmas and creating appropriate policies and guidelines. The process of exercising discipline within a university community is considered, and one model of policy creation and community process that used facilitated discussions at the University of Michigan is…