Explains how book groups worked in a tenth-grade English classroom. Makes a case for "Making Lemonade" (a young adult novel about teenage pregnancy and poverty) as a compelling and provocative text for young adults. Notes that the school nurse visited the class to discuss the book. Addresses the nurse's unique contribution to the students'…

Analyzed patterns of participation and discourse mediated by Virtual Web School (VWS), an Internet-based asynchronous bulletin board system used by 23 fifth graders in Finland. Findings show high density of articipation, but the need for improvement in the quality of student discussion on VWS. (SLD)

Used asynchronous electronic discussion groups across sections of a required introductory U.S. Government course. Findings for three course sections show the ways in which initial parameters affect student participation and perceived value. (SLD)

Presents one college professor's account of how service learning might help facilitate meaningful discussions on race in an undergraduate course on Social Foundations of Education, describing the dynamics that tend to unfold whenever "race" comes up in class discussions, analyzing the benefits and potential pitfalls of service learning, and…

Finds that, when adults talked about why they value their book club discussions, three themes emerged: the social aspect; the equality among club members; and the spirit of cooperation that infused the clubs. Notes that these themes suggest instructional strategies which may help teachers challenge the discourse patterns that characterize…

Because race, class, and gender bias have become firmly institutionalized, achieving equity will require more than eliminating individual prejudices. Educators can use dyads, support groups, and personal experience panels to ensure that people stay focused on their personal stories; respect one another; avoid blaming, criticizing, and analyzing;…

Four studies of undergraduates were conducted to assess the relative importance of quality and quantity as goals of brainstorming. Participants (n=65) believed it was more important to produce creative and high-quality ideas than to generate many ideas and believed brainstorming would enhance the quality of others' ideas (n=109). (Author/CR)

Describes a discussion on child advocacy that the author initiated among fifth graders. Children were surprised at being asked for their opinion on improving their educational situation. Their main problem was getting adults to listen. Advocacy, as one child affirmed, is a matter of making a case carefully, vividly, compellingly so that others…

Presents a variety of reading, writing, art, and discussion activities to keep students interested in studying "Romeo and Juliet." Describes using the film version of the play as a companion piece to unify the oral reading. (RS)

"Phi Delta Kappan" conducted 28 public forums exploring participants' views about public schools' purposes, effectiveness, and needed changes. Once engaged, community members were enthusiastic about discussing public schools' future, indicated they left the forums better informed, and found the three-question format productive. Planners…

Presents a case study of the online literature discussions of undergraduate children's literature students in geographically distant classrooms. Notes that with their digital conversations, students constructed a text in which diverse voices were heard and engagement with the social and political issues raised in the literature was deepened.…

Notes that both texts tell the story of a young Puerto Rican girl who moves to the mainland United States. Discuss methods for facilitating personal connections. Offers suggested discussion questions and essay topics in relation to each major theme discussed. Concludes that these two texts are also ideal vehicles for introducing Puerto Rican…

Notes that sociocultural theory establishes that understanding the concepts that govern discussion in particular contexts is crucial. Considers which different instructional arrangements might affect students' conceptions. Asks students to write about the discussions they had during a unit on contemporary poetry. Varies the format of the…

Notes that there is consistent evidence that individuals tend to be dissatisfied with their relationships if they report that topics are frequently avoided in those relationships. Compares the utility of two explanations--perceptual and interpersonal processes--with data gathered from heterosexual college dating couples and parent-child dyads.…

Discusses computer-supported collaborative learning and reports findings of college students' use of two Web-based discussion forums to supplement face-to-face instruction. Reports on student-initiated reflection and integration of perspectives through concessions and oppositions to postings of their peers, and emphasizes the importance of…