Proposes a five-stage processing model, the Contextual Organization Model for Processing and Evaluation (COMPE), based on an analysis of stage theories in group development. The five potentially universal stages have been shown to have an analogous relationship to the stages of theories in many fields of psychology. (JAC)

This article attempts to help teachers use group experiences for teaching purposes. It focuses on the importance of preplanning and designing the learning experience, the identification of events and behaviors that may emerge during the group process, and ways of dealing with these behaviors. (NG)