Collaborative group problem solving allows students to wrestle with different interpretations and solutions brought forth by group members, enhancing both critical thinking and problem solving skills. Since problem solving in groups is a common practice in agricultural education, instructors are often put in the position of organizing student…

The primary purpose of this study is to investigate the influence of racial and gender diversity on group process and problem solving in an academic setting. The importance of this dynamic is its value in preparing students for the workplace. The supposition is if a group is homogeneous, commitment and performance is improved. Data for the study…

The purpose of this study was to describe the experiences of adult musicians in two long-standing flute choirs. Data were collected through observations, field notes, and in-depth interviews with 16 ensemble members. Salient statements were grouped into meaning units and clustered into 5 themes: Serendipity, Rewards, Challenges, Directors'…

Two researchers present their views on effective strategies for ability grouping, pointing out how grouping both low- and high-ability students together can help both to achieve better when they are grouped heterogeneously. (CB)

The paper explicates the major assumptions of reference-group theory in order to deduce hypotheses with direct application to studies of classroom ability grouping. (Author)

Suggests that small groups be established in the language arts classroom based on students' skill strengths and weaknesses and on students' preferred companions. (DD)

Trainee programers were studied to see which structure for training was most effective--groups selected by personality traits, random grouping, and individuals. The selected groups were superior in technical information but individuals showed best productivity rate. (MS)

Four measures of performance of three types of pairings (boy/boy, girl/girl, girl/boy) involved in completion of a language task on microcomputers gave consistent results. Single-gender pairs improved in comparison with individuals working alone but mixed-gender pairs did not. Single-gender pairs tended to share task and discuss solutions, whereas…

Examines group cohesiveness and client satisfaction for clients in homogeneous and heterogeneous counseling groups. Results of questionnaire reveal a significant relationship between group cohesiveness and client satisfaction. Homogeneous counseling groups reported higher cohesiveness and satisfaction than heterogeneous group members. Discusses…

This book is an outgrowth of a conference funded by the National Institute of Education and held at the Wisconsin Center for Education Research in May 1982. A major theme of this volume of collected papers is how and in what ways grouping of students can be used effectively. Papers included are: (1) "Instructional Groups in the Classroom:…

As part of a project designed to provide information on the nature and uses of within-class pupil groupings for teaching and learning in secondary schools in England, this paper focuses on qualitative interviews with 20 teachers from three core curriculum areas in six schools. Interviews concerned the range and explanations for teachers' choices…

The principal focus of this study is an investigation of whether students' grade point average (GPA) is a viable criterion for forming student work groups in the undergraduate Legal Environment of Business course. More specifically, the research focuses on the impact of: (1) GPA-homogeneous (HO) and GPA-heterogeneous (HE) groups upon student…

Research in classrooms must be sensitive to new dimensions of teaching tasks that emerge at the group level. There are at least two tasks that can be identified as being affected by changes in group characteristics. The first task is to set the stage--the teacher must establish the proper context or setting to support academic activities. The…

This paper discusses the use of student groups in formal education. A model is proposed which involves the development of student interdependence on common tasks, the use of group incentives which may be earned through competition with a standard or with other groups, and the exchange of student resources in teaching and learning. In contrast to…

Two dimensions of the Rotter Interpersonal Trust Scale (ITS) were used to investigate the relationship between interpersonal trust and three variables in short-term group therapy: group cohesiveness, group status, and immediate outcome. Groups of a heterogeneous mix--according to ITS scores--had significantly higher cohesiveness scores.…