This paper examines the practice of online discussion in a course specially tailored for in-service teachers who are pursuing their basic degree qualification at a teacher training institute. Analyses of postings to the asynchronous electronic discussion group were made according to the type of postings as proposed by Poole (2000). Four focus…

This article examined the teachers' beliefs about the application of e-mail communication (listservs) in the learning and teaching of literacy. The context of investigation was conducted in a graduate-level course attended by pre-service and in-service teachers and educators. By examining the articulated beliefs by teachers and how their beliefs…

Five studies on the advantages and disadvantages of small groups in teaching in higher education are discussed. These include works by M. L. Johnson Abercrombie; Barbara Cockburn and Alex Ross; M. L. J. Abercrombie and P. M. Terry; and Jean Rudduck. (JMF)

THE APPLICATION OF GROUP COUNSELING WAS INVESTIGATED WITH RESPECT TO ITS EFFECT ON UNDERACHIEVING, ACTING-OUT, JUNIOR HIGH SCHOOL BOYS. IN ADDITION, TWO OTHER EFFECTS WERE STUDIED--(1) THAT OF INVOLVING TEACHERS IN DISCUSSION GROUPS AND (2) THAT OF THESE DISCUSSIONS GROUPS ON TEACHER ATTITUDES. THREE COUNSELORS FROM DIFFERENT SCHOOLS IN SIMILAR…

Personal sensitivity and self-understanding are attributes which are very important for those who would teach the disadvantaged. "Sensitivity training" is recommended as a basis for self-discovery and self-actualization. Through such training the teacher can foster a climate in which a disadvantaged child can feel "valued, wanted, and worthy."…

The benefits of online collaborative learning, sometimes referred to as CSCL (computer-supported collaborative learning) are compelling, but many instructors are loath to experiment with non-conventional methods of teaching and learning because of the perceived problems. This paper reviews the existing literature to present the seven most commonly…

In this self-study of a secondary teacher education course, the authors investigated whether there was evidence of critically reflective problem solving on the part of prospective teachers who participated in a peer-led online discussion of a teaching case about English-language learners. They also examined what approaches to multicultural…

The purpose of the research was to define online bullying, determine its incidence in higher education, and survey methods instructors used to respond to those students who use the online forum to intimidate or offend their classmates or instructors. The study extended Tattum and Tattum's (1992) definition of bullying to define the term…

This study reports on exploratory research that investigated biology teachers' perceptions of their online information seeking practices and how these practices influenced their instructional planning activities. Quantitative and qualitative analyses of the results of an online survey and ten in-depth interviews measuring use of specific online…

Examines how the inclusion of multicultural texts played out in one predominantly white rural community, focusing on repercussions of a key event that set off conflict in the community and describing how various interpretations of this event haped teachers' and community members' beliefs about the selection, interpretation, and teaching of…

With the advent of the Internet, and more specifically the use of email discussion groups or listservs, physical educators have a new resource to assist them in overcoming the challenges to their professional development. One such resource is the National Association for Sport and Physical Education (NASPE) listserv. NASPE-L is a physical…

Describes teacher professional groups being implemented in Chilean secondary schools to improve the quality and equity of public education, examining utilization of research and theory development on educational policy and changes in educational systems. Discusses implementation of the groups and examines what has been learned via case studies and…

In this article knowledge productivity, a process that creates conceptual artifacts, is used as a way to investigate the outcomes of collaborative and enquiry-oriented activity by teaching professionals. It is an outcome of the motivation to learn (self-regulation) in that it studies the issues from different professional perspectives (reflection…

This report synthesizes the findings of a week of focused group discussions during which Australian health care workers currently caring for people with human immunodeficiency virus/acquired immune deficiency syndrome (HIV/AIDS) and tertiary educators involved in designing/delivering curricula in various health and social disciplines shared their…

This report is a description of Israeli experimental parent-teacher discussion groups (KEDMAH) which were developed to promote a closer relationship between parents and their children's kindergarten teachers. Background information on the project describes the ideological basis of such a program, the importance of including parents in their…