Communication among students, faculty, and administration is difficult to establish and maintain in a high school with more than 1,500 students. One attempt to promote communication at Thomas Jefferson High School in Council Bluffs, Ia., is through rap sessions. (Author)

Programs for students, teachers, and parents that concentrate on human development, self-understanding, and the problems of young people are described. (DB)

An investigation of the verbal "following behaviors" of 245 third-grade children indicated that selected role-taking groups of children chose, or were chosen by the teacher, to talk following the verbal contributions of certain role groups of children while avoiding talk following the contributions of other role groups. (Author/DS)

A format for a small-group teaching session is described that could be modified for any subject in a medical curriculum. The technique discussed uses subgroups and a simple recording chart that have been successful in teaching microbiology to medical students. (LBH)

Discusses the challenge of assessing collaborative work, such as literature circles. Suggests the best way to evaluate literature circles is a legitimate performance assessment created by the students. Concludes that the rubric-creating exercise itself is a review of good reading and discussion habits. (PM)

Argues that cooperative learning activities such as small group activities are important in social studies classes because they enhance text comprehension, nurture interaction skills, develop democratic behavior, and actively involve the students. (RS)

Describes a recent computer-supported cooperative-learning (CSCL) project called TSCL (Telematic (and IT) Supported Co-operative Learning) which builds upon distributed knowledge and constructivism. It takes the opportunity of Internet-based communication tools to allow students to participate in nonschool environments such as expert discussions,…

A study of interactions among 15 students in a computer-mediated graduate course found no sexist language or overt exclusionary behavior. However, women exercised less procedural leadership and influence on group products and had fewer productive contributions. (Author/SK)

Describes an approach to training higher education students to work and communicate more effectively in groups developed at Manchester Metropolitan University. (EV)

This study investigates how reading ability and personality traits predict the quality of verbal discussions in peer-led literature circles. Third grade literature discussions were recorded, transcribed, and coded. The coded statements and questions were quantified into a quality of engagement score. Through multiple linear regression, the…

One of the thorniest problems facing teachers of public address and other speech performance courses concerns students' reticence in classroom criticism and discussion of fellow students' performance. Many teachers believe that discussing the speeches in class provides valuable feedback to the speaker and helps foster critical thinking skills in…

While elementary school teachers are concerned for and involved in the affective world of children, some elementary educators fear or distrust group affective approaches. It may be the case that they lack understanding and skills in the use of affective curricula. William Glasser's guides for classroom meetings, designed to increase and promote…

Staff and student opinion were surveyed at the Law Faculty of the University of New South Wales to determine the advantages and disadvantages of assessing class participation. Results from 12 staff and 390 students showed that although a majority favored this method of assessment, many difficulties were experienced in putting it into practice.…

This collection of papers delves into reflection as a concept and provides specific, replicable tools for professional practice. Each chapter draws on a particular school situation, demonstrating the value of teacher reflection and describing the nuts and bolts of the process, offering protocols for handling many different circumstances. After…

Discusses why many nonnative-English-speaking students have difficulty participating in academic group discussions and explores culturally based perceptions of silence and reticence and the nature of group discussion. Pedagogical directions are offered that course planners, academic advisors, and language teachers can follow to help students to…