This discussion of the role of the information professional in the utilization of information by all categories of users begins by suggesting answers to two questions: What is information? and Who are the users and their characteristics? Against this background, analyses are made of the intermediary role of the information professional who serves…

The impact of individual characteristics on the attitudes and performance of students in a college psychology course using the guided design approach was examined. With this teaching method students work in groups to solve problems, gaining experience in the cognitive processes of concept reorganization, symbolic translation, data interpretation,…

This paper explores the fault-tree analysis approach to isolating failure modes within a system. Fault tree investigates potentially undesirable events and then looks for failures in sequence that would lead to their occurring. Relationships among these events are symbolized by AND or OR logic gates, AND used when single events must coexist to…

The conditions that intensify conflict avoidance by the central administration in making strategic decisions, and the consequences of such avoidance for the management of college affairs, are discussed. The implication of an emerging decision-making style for adapting the organization to changing environments is also considered. Some of the…

The purpose of this study was to extend previous research by observing how two types of teachers, novice and experienced, find and solve problems in a classroom setting and how problem finding behavior differs between them. The results indicate that experienced teachers (N=10) and student teachers (N=10) appear to use the same cognitive strategies…

In early 1983, a questionnaire was sent to members of the Public Relations Division of the Association for Education in Journalism and Mass Communication to determine whether they perceived the role of public relations practitioners to be one of four types: expert prescriber, communication technician, communication facilitator, or problem solving…

This description of a process used in a social studies methods course presents an experiential approach to helping students learn power sharing and decision-making skills. By leaving students alone with instructions to decide cooperatively on desired class changes, type of evaluation, and leadership, students gain experience in negotiation and…

Resources that will help secondary students become more effective problem solvers are provided. The book describes techniques or tools and an overall strategy for solving problems. Throughout the book there are exercises that enable the student to practice the techniques. The first chapter provides an overview of the problem solving process.…

Information on the process of decision-making, hints on how to function in team decision-making, and materials on how to prepare clients for decision-making in team meetings for the beginning level child welfare worker are provided in this self-instructional manual. Techniques are discussed for improving the quality of decisions made by the…

Six division chairpersons at Central Virginia Community College participated in a study designed to develop a problem situation set which can be used to examine academic managers' preferred decision processes; to identify the existing preferred decision processes of chairpersons within the community college setting; and to ascertain how problem…

Processes that integrate the logical and participative dimensions of group decision making and problem solving are increasingly important to those responsible for the organizational development of educational systems. This paper describes a model (The Optimal Combination of Processes for Creative Problem Solving) that was designed to deal with a…

Needs assessment is presented as a scanning process to identify if and where interventions are required in the educational setting and also to build and support successful implementation of those processes. Themes or perspectives, which provide a general framework for the work of a needs assessment team, are outlined. Within this framework, needs…

Intended for use by life skills coaches and students, program evaluators, and individuals developing lesson plans and other training materials, this taxonomy includes all of the terminal performance behaviors and corresponding sub-skills required to become and function as a balanced, self-determined person who manages the problems of everyday life…

Administrative leadership is examined with focus on the processes and problems of campus decision-making. Chapters include: the need for administrators; morals, ethics, and values in higher education; improving administrative communication; conceptions of decision-making; focusing administration interest; understanding external influences,…

Teachers can use these learning activities to teach about the future in elementary and secondary social studies, science, math, language arts, and arts courses. The purpose of the activities is to help students practice creative-thinking skills, investigate problems relevant to their personal futures, experience the concept of change, and evaluate…