Varied leadership style against form of address (Mr., Ms., Miss, Mrs.) in a simulated small group case study. Student ratings indicated significant effects due to leader style (i.e., greater subordination and stronger friendship attraction to democratic leaders). Authoritarian leaders using title Ms. evoked higher subordination than other…

The effectiveness of assertiveness training discussion group parenting programs with center-city and suburban parents was evaluated. All parents showed a significant pre- to posttest decrease in restrictiveness on Block's Child Rearing Practices Report, regardless of group membership. A significantly greater change was noted for center city…

Compared traditional classroom lectures with videotapes prepared by faculty, small group discussion with videotapes, and student conducted family interviews with videotapes prepared by students. Results showed increases in scores on all methods, but no significant differences between the three teaching methods. (Author/BEF)

Reports on results of offering face-to-face discussions to students in a computer-based introductory psychology course. Authors found scant research on the inclusion of discussion in computer-based classes. Of 210 students registered in the class, only 17 indicated an interest in extra-credit discussion sessions. Participants' course outcomes…

Working within a theoretical framework of sociocultural theory, with a particular focus on the construct of scaffolding, this five and a half month qualitative study explored the ways in which one third-grade teacher supported students' move towards literature discussion groups. Data sources including expanded field notes, video and audiotape…

This qualitative case study illustrates barriers to informal argumentation and reasoned debate, i.e., "critical discourse," in online forums. The case is the computer conference of a 15-week, graduate-level humanities course offered entirely at a distance. Twelve students, all with families and careers, were enrolled in the course. We read all…

Adventure learning (AL) is a hybrid distance education approach that provides students with opportunities to explore real-world issues through authentic learning experiences within collaborative learning environments. Within hybrid environments, designers habitually attempt to replicate traditional classroom pedagogy resulting in experiences that…

Does collaborative learning in asynchronous discussion groups result in enhancing academic discourse and knowledge construction? This general research question has been researched in a study involving 300 students, working during six months in 38 electronic discussion groups. The transcripts of the discussions were coded and analysed to test…

This Canadian study reports on the experiences of parents whose children use cochlear implants and on their perspectives prior to and following the transition to Auditory-Verbal therapy. A qualitative case study design, framed in social-ecological theory, guided this research. Data collection procedures included a family information questionnaire,…

This paper discusses findings from an extensive project examining gender, language and computer-mediated communication (CMC) in the context of undergraduate psychology courses. The contributions of 197 introductory psychology students (148 females, 49 males) participating in asynchronous CMC as part of their course were collated and coded for…

This article examines the online discourse that took place in representative threads from two classes, seeking to document indicators that students did or did not engage in co-construction of knowledge. Stahl's (2006) social theory of computer supported collaborative learning (CSCL) is used along with discourse analysis methods to examine these…

This paper presents a methodology designed to explore the role of context in collaborative knowledge construction activity in asynchronous web-based discussion. The discussions of two student groups participating in a web-based teacher education course were compared. The comparison aimed to highlight the differences and similarities between the…

This study was designed to investigate the influence of a diversified instructional strategy to overcome misconceptions held by freshmen undergraduate students with respect to the nature of a scientific theory. The theory of evolution was selected because it is the most significant unifying theme within the discipline of biology. Two classes were…

Group vocational counseling has been criticized as being individual counseling in a group setting. All counseling has been criticized when goals are not set in the initial stages of counseling. The present investigation superimposed a group discussion process over a typical vocational counseling process in which the primary focus was on test…

This qualitative study investigated the role of the teacher in student-led literature circles by comparing the types of comments that students made when the teacher was and was not present. Comments were analyzed using specific Essential Academic Learning Requirements (Washington State, 1997) in reading and four other categories including text…