Research on the use of discussion in adult education has been largely concerned with comparing it with the use of other instructional techniques and with measuring opinion change. Many studies, such as Kurt Lewin's study of food habits, have compared the effectiveness of group discussion as contrasted with lecture in changing opinions and…

Students begin to comprehend the medium of television as they learn to make qualitative judgments about what they like in TV viewing and why. To find convincing reasons for their personal responses, they should analyze all kinds of good and bad TV experiences as well as learn to recognize the socio-legal-economic context of TV. As students become…

This study assessed the effect of room design on small-group communication patterns. Twenty-seven groups of three subjects each were assigned to nine types of rooms that differed with respect to shape, interior decoration, and other environmental elements. Subjects discussed a standard group-discussion topic. Data indicated that room design had no…

Approaches to organizational change are examined, and the means for overcoming resistance to change are suggested. Seven models of change commonly used are identified as: (1) decree; (2) replacement of personnel; (3) structural reorganization; (4) group agreement; (5) data discussion; (6) group problem solving; and (7) T group. The sixth change…

This booklet is one in a series designed to bridge the gap between theory and practice by suggesting specific classroom activities based on current educational theory and research. Approximately half of the booklet is devoted to a review of current research and theory concerning small group discussion and interaction. The second half presents…

This discussion guide is intended to help school personnel, community members, and board members express and deal with their beliefs about educational philosophy. A series of questions concerning school policies is presented with forced-choice answers. Individual answers are to be brought before a group for comparison, inquiry, and discussion. The…

The ultimate goal of a learning group is to help learners achieve their goals and objectives and to help them learn to live in a rapidly changing and evolving society. Within the context of social change, the author examines how internal dynamics can be used to aid a teacher in developing an effective learning group. Drawing from psychology,…

Centering on a historical review and analysis of adult Christian education in small groups, this study was designed to identify certain conditions surrounding the formation and operation of selected small groups, to discover their distinctive educational features, and to suggest guidelines for effective use of the small group approach. The role of…

A leadership course for Army officers used sound films for the presentation of officer problems, based on descriptions of leadership situations collected from Army officers and NCO's in combat and noncombat areas. Each film terminated at the point where the leader was faced with making a decision and taking action; a small group discussion…

The West Tennessee Research Development Consortium, formed to increase the potentiality of research in two small West Tennessee Colleges, consists of a project designed to train in research methodology one research person on each of the two campuses, and to offer concurrently an inservice training program to eight faculty members in each of the…

This guide provides the basis for a study-discussion course in the social psychology of the American Family. The course is designed to give an overview of major areas of stress in contemporary family life, to define and offer possible solutions to these problems, and to present some consideration of their meaning for individuals. This manual is…

This study concentrated on developing a conceptual scheme for adapting participation training, an adult education approach based on democratic concepts and practices, to the Three Love Movement (Love of God, Love of Soil, Love of Man) in Japan. (This Movement is an outgrowth of Protestant folk schools.) While democratization is an aim, the…

Tom Stoppard's play, "Rosencrantz and Guildenstern Are Dead," focuses on the antics and tragedy of two minor characters in Shakespeare's "Hamlet." Although satirical of their philosophical pretensions, the play conveys the uncertainty and confusion of its two principal characters and thus reflects modern man's dilemma. The…

This is a working handbook for supervisors, staff members, and managers at all levels who are looking for ways to improve their conference leadership skills. It is built around frequently asked questions on participant involvement, the nature of a guided conference, questioning and motivational techniques, amounts of presentation needed, effective…

The purpose of this study was to examine the productivity of three differing focuses for organizing teacher group consultation activities. These focuses were: (1) the curriculum, i.e., individualizing instructional materials; (2) personalizing classroom interactions; and (3) personalizing classroom interactions through classroom videotapings. The…