The results of this study support the use of trained volunteers in systematic controlled activities with prisoners. On the institutional measures, prisoners who participated in discussion groups with trained volunteers showed more positive change than did prisoners exposed to untrained volunteers. (Author/CS)

Children's stories, pajamas, robes, and stuffed animals provide the setting for "story hours," a very successful program in a residence hall setting, that has become a significant support group for students. "Story hours" also provides an ideal setting for exposing students to a variety of thought-providing ideas. (Author)

Discussions about death, dying, and dissection during the first-year curriculum were initiated at the University of Massachusetts Medical School to deal with personal questions and emotions evoked by cadaver dissection. The evolution of these discussions, their timing, the present content of the sessions, and student response are described.…

Focuses on five fifth-grade students for whom student-led literature discussion was not working. Tells what happened when all five of the students were put in one group, and shows that students who seemed to be resistant eventually engaged themselves with the books they were reading. (SR)

Discusses a system of training inservice mathematics teachers based on the psychoanalytic theories of the Balint group. Illustrates this approach through the analysis of material taken from a recorded session concerning one particular teacher. (MDH)

Although traditional surveys are a valuable tool for college institutional researchers and others gathering data to support quality improvement programs, focus groups offer another technique for understanding university community members' needs and opinions by probing areas of special interest. University of Miami (Florida) experience illustrates…

Describes a college-level, mixed-gender date rape workshop provided to over 1,400 students. The workshop included student discussion. Evaluations indicated students were positive about the experience. Very few felt uncomfortable discussing date rape in mixed groups, and nearly all agreed that date rape was a topic worthy of discussion. (SM)

A future-search conference is a participatory planning and decision-making process in which a group of individuals with diverse perspectives come together; engage in a process of data collection, discussion, and learning; and decide on an appropriate course of action. The competencies, skills, and intellectual capital developed as part of this…

As universities and history departments argue over how best to make history "relevant" to students of the twenty-first century, and as professors are increasingly under pressure to integrate technology into their courses, many questions remain unanswered as to the usefulness, reliability, and pedagogical soundness of the new and ever-changing…

Responding to the dramatic changes in the style and form of communication, a communication instructor integrated the Internet into his communication courses at a liberal arts college. Students are required to sign up for a discussion group (listserv) that focuses on the course offering as well as a discussion group in their area of interest. Every…

A two-week elective to introduce medical students to primary care internal medicine was developed and evaluated. Course time is divided between conference sessions and office experience. Evaluations by students consisted of a questionnaire of conference topics, the student's ability to carry out course objectives, and the preceptor's teaching…

This paper describes the frustration with the lack student involvement in classroom discussions regarding significant issues of the California State History Social Science Standards, specifically on politics and media. The initial use of a discussion board produced disappointing results. Very few students participated and their responses did not…

This report summarizes the activities of a day-long health focus forum held by the State Office of Head Start in Maine. Speakers and discussion groups focused on: (1) the importance of comprehensive early childhood health programs and the need for collaboration among health professionals; (2) the role of school health programs in meeting national…

This paper argues that teacher knowledge is a necessary component in the development of new knowledge about teaching and learning. Teacher knowledge in collaboration with university partnerships that are engaged in the practice of intentional change coupled with reflective conversations that serve as an enhancement to ongoing, long-term…

Describes Freshmen Awareness Groups, discussion groups designed to unite students, teachers and counselors in sharing ideas and feelings and becoming more aware of themselves and each other. Activities and goals for the five weekly sessions are outlined. (JAC)