Study circles, sponsored by government subsidy in Denmark and Sweden, are characterized by small group discussion of subjects of common interest, voluntary participation, and facilitators instead of teachers. They have often functioned in the formation of public policy and in the education of citizens on important issues. (SK)

Recounts how to use discussion groups to reinforce and expand upon lectures and how to link successive weekly topics by using thematic and role playing methods and a single theme. Theme used is perceptions of place and their ramifications in a decision making process. Journal availability: see SO 507 262. (Author/CK)

Books and online discussion groups encourage youth to develop strong narrative voices. Includes an annotated bibliography of books and Internet sites dealing with discovering the self and others; exploring race, culture, archeology, technology, war, poverty, gender and urban problems; creating and critiquing stories; and publishing industry…

Describes a literature discussion group consisting of eleven social studies representatives involved in a discussion of children's multicultural literature and articles. Focuses on story as a resource for exploring diversity and for sharing personal experiences and responses with others. Includes the discussion group's schedule and a list of…

Focuses on a nationally run reading and discussion program called "Let's Talk about It" as an example of the kind of community outreach program that universities could employ to the mutual advantage of institutions and the public that they serve. (RS)

Describes "community meetings" in early childhood classrooms, designed to create an intentional community devoted to learning to live with and consider the perspectives of others. Discusses how meetings work, community meeting and the topic of exclusion, students' learning about themselves, awareness as a kind of solution, airing a…

Discusses the value of cooperative learning in higher education and presents a case study of how Towson University used computer technology to develop a Web-based project that allowed students to collaborate across disciplines. Describes the use of online discussion groups, multimedia, and hypertext to facilitate cooperative learning and…

For years, experts have said that the way to get things done is to schedule them on the calendar and to find a partner to join in the effort. Following this advice, the Association of California School Administrators (ACSA) joined the Leadership Initiative at WestEd in inviting superintendents and district teams to think through improving…

In this article, the authors explain how they implemented Design eXchange as a shared collaborative online and physical space for design for their students. Their notion for Design eXchange favors a complex mix of key elements namely: (1) a virtual online studio; (2) a forum for review of all things related to design, especially design with the…

A year-long collaborative action research project used networked technologies to connect researchers at a university-based online professional development program and a group of practitioner researchers based in a range of schools and educational agencies in several countries. They studied the process and effects of online professional development…

More and more, adult learners are finding the convenience and flexibility of online learning a match for their learning goals and busy lifestyles. Online degree programs, courses, and virtual universities targeting adult learners have proliferated in the past decade. Although students can easily locate an online course or degree program that's…

Folk high schools, study circles, labor market training, union education, and municipal adult schools are the major providers of adult education in Sweden. For the most part, these programs are financed by the government and are tuition free. Folk high schools, which are the oldest type, were founded to provide young adults with a general civic…

The Triad process, a structured form of small-group discussion, has been used in teaching freshman composition. After reading each other's first drafts, students separate into groups of three; in each group, students take the role of reader, writer, or observer. Using role descriptions provided by the teacher, the readers analyze the writers'…

This human relations program consists of a series of weekly classroom discussions and activities in the fifth through seventh grades, which give each student an opportunity to: (1) express, openly, opinions on matters of importance to him; (2) recognize and accept the feelings and concerns he shares with his peers; (3) consider how his feelings…

This paper introduces the Connecticut Community Conversations project and discusses the origins of the partnership between Public Agenda and the Graustien Memorial Fund in Connecticut. It describes Public Agenda's model of community dialogue and engagement and how it was specifically applied in the project. It then looks closely at the experience…