Suggests that a discussion-based approach focused on experiences of actual environmental issues, encountered problematically, should characterize environmental education activities. An ecology exercise dealing with organic pollution of a river provides a context for the educational principles and ecological concepts included the study. (24…

Relates findings of an empirical study of student use of an interactive videodisc to theories of learning and to other research findings. A study of 12- and 13-year-old students in England is described that examined problem-solving strategies, learning styles, conceptual understanding, group discussion, and the teacher's role. (Contains 17…

Icelandic teachers discussed perceived changes in their work and students' social interactions during a program to foster students' social competence. The program emphasized classroom discussion on interpersonal relationships and conflict resolution to promote social growth. Teachers believed they gained confidence in handling interpersonal…

Investigated whether cognitive growth would occur among preservice physical educators in an elementary educational games class that used case discussions as a teaching method. Data from interviews, transcripts of case discussions, and participants' written reflections on lesson episodes revealed cognitive growth via an improved general propensity…

This activity allows students to explore the gray areas that lie between polar opposites on an issue. Recognizes the knowledge, opinions, and values supporting various positions that emerge as current positions and discusses the reasons for choosing them. Learning to be flexible and open is the goal of this activity. (PVD)

Excerpts a student-teacher discourse from a 4th-grade mathematics classroom to illustrate how discourse helps students construct algebraic thinking. Discusses the implications of the discourse method of collaborative inquiry for teaching. (JPB)

This case study explored how social interaction during science lessons leads to the development of planning skills in students. An analysis of group discussions was conducted. Questions addressed were: (1) What is the nature of planning discourse during science problem-solving activities with young children?; and (2) How is collaborative planning…

This document proposes a case study approach to U.S. history instruction. The method which the document suggests arises from an actual class discussion of the My Lai massacre that occurred during the Vietnam War. A sample class discussion concerns the setting of standards to guide national and international affairs and the particular standards…

The purpose of this report was to evaluate the more common small group methods in terms of their effectiveness in teaching adults. A rationale for small group instruction was presented, followed by descriptions of the principal methods, and an assessment based on existing research findings. It was concluded that small group methods can be…

An experiment was designed and conducted for the Community College Department of Sociology. The objective was to determine the significant difference between the objective knowledge of sociology learned, and retained by groups taught by the systems approach method as compared to the lecture-discussion method. The systems analysis method is based…

A program at Brandeis University uses literature to help professionals confront career dilemmas and work-related moral issues. Program participants say literature provides a "non-threatening" way to discuss difficult subjects. Doctors, legislators, corporate executives, public-school teachers, etc. have participated. (MLW)

This guide draws on findings of research that explored key features of effective career discussions at work in major employing organizations in the United Kingdom. Intended for employees and the wide range of people positioned to offer advice and support on career development, it presents practical tips for these "receivers" and…

Presents ways to stimulate teachers to try several techniques for having students write their own problems and verify their meanings with others to become effective mathematics problem solvers. These techniques include sharing self-generated problems in a Mathematician's Circle and publishing problems on worksheets. (PVD)

Three learning activities--story generation, reasoning from historical information, and computer modeling--that are designed to help students move toward a more coherent understanding of biological mechanisms are described. A method used to measure a student's level of understanding and their progress during instruction is also described. Ways to…

Offers suggestions for teaching information skills to kindergarten through second-grade students. Highlights include book titles to use as discussion lead-ins; library group activities; the use of technology, including computer software and electronic mail; and problem-solving skills. (LRW)