Both the curricula and methodology of preparing principals is the subject of this article. Describing procedures that work, it will interest principals as well as professors of school administration. (Editor)

Builds on previous research with this detailed analysis of multiple decision sequences in two sets of groups: students performing a ranking task and physicians performing a program planning task. Finds support for the Multiple Sequence Descriptive System and isolates types of conflict and idea development patterns. (PD)

Dialogue with Researchers is a research dissemination program The George Washington University Rehabilitation Research and Training Center has used during the past three years. This program offers researchers the opportunity to discuss their project with a small group of rehabilitation practitioners in an informal setting in the practitioners'…

A classroom discussion activity is described that uses the teacher as an impartial moderator. Students' written responses to a selected subject are organized and commented on by the group, under the teacher's supervision. Suggestions are given for course organization and sequence, extent of teacher involvement in the discussion, and logistics.…

Compares the effectiveness of lecture versus discussion methods in postsecondary education. Describes dyadic interaction as a teaching technique in which students are paired during discussions. Demonstrates the approach through sample lessons. Examines student responses. (DMM)

Tested the use of interviews, specifically the Focus Group Interview technique, to generate information about how high communication apprehensives (CAs) characterize their attitudes, experiences, and behaviors. Found that much of what high CAs said about themselves corresponds with what has been conceptualized and tested quantitatively about…

Suggests combining the Delphi technique and the nominal group process technique to improve the collective decision-making of school curriculum and other committees. Both methods require group members to respond in writing. A five-step agenda with sample questions illustrates the approach. (MLF)

Provides an overview of Kohlberg's five stages of moral reasoning and Damon's levels of positive justice. Argues that a conditioning approach to moral development is inadequate, suggesting teaching methods for facilitating moral development based on helping children understand principles and reasons. (RH)

Two experimental groups and a control group were used to evaluate a comprehensive group discussion program and an individual briefing program's effect upon the retire- ment experience. Questionnaire data were collected prior to program initiation and again six years later. Posttest data indicate no significant effect of either program. (Author)

This study used the Self-Consciousness Scale to test the hypothesis that socially anxious people could seek to avoid embarrassment and do poorly in small group discussions as a result. Those people high in private self-consciousness (lacking concern for social evaluation) would participate more in discussions. Findings supported the hypothesis.…

Examines the relationship between sex and sex- type and leadership in small discussion groups. Results indicate personality influences leadership only during initial group interaction. The best characterization of social and task leadership is via psychological sex type rather than biological sex. Suggests leadership style dogmatism and motivation…

An outline of eight types of questions that teachers can use to maintain focus on their subject matter in values/moral education. (Author/MLF)

Analyzes ways to lead group discussions of literature. Offers suggestions on what questions to ask and how to keep the discussion a stimulating experience for the participants. (RL)

It is helpful to elicit sentences using "binders" and to examine their properties together, especially when the indigenous language has textual and logical processes different from those of English. Such a procedure increases students' awareness of the delicacy of the clause/sentence grammar which pivots around these difficult words. (Author)

Discusses problems with using debate as a way of stimulating spontaneous speech in the ESL classroom. Presents six steps to aid in eliciting "controlled spontaneity," where the debate topic is known beforehand and students can prepare. The listeners, after asking the debaters questions, choose a winner. (PJM)