Describes a discussion model based on the reader-response approach which thrives on controversy and encourages students to become an active, responsible "community of interpreters." (MM)

The Loma Linda University School of Dentistry's "study club" method of teaching operative dentistry involves a four-hour clinical operating session and an hour-long discussion immediately following. Videotape recordings of the operative procedures are used successfully in the discussion period to enhance observation and recall. (MSE)

The autumn conference of the Vermont Council on the Humanities focused on discussions about Allan Bloom's book, "The Closing of the American Mind," and his call for Americans to return to fundamental questions of the nature of man and society. The Council also runs book discussion groups in local libraries. (MLW)

Offers a collection of activity ideas for teaching elementary-level children about the concept of power. Strategies include role playing, discussion, and use of children's literature. (JDH)

Describes strategies such as discussion and role playing for teaching children about liberty (freedom) and related concept of responsibility. The strategies are suitable for grades K through 6 and are taken from the Kansas law-related education curriculum guide "Life/Liberty/Law." (JDH)

An exercise designed to provide students with an opportunity to take responsibility for learning an assigned reading and to share ideas with their colleagues is described. The exercise also provides a safe atmosphere in which to practice communication skills, critical thinking, and decision making. (MLW)

Secondary students who regularly discussed controversial issues using a value analysis approach showed gains on the measures of political confidence, political interest, and social integration, but not on political trust. The value analysis discussions did not affect students' reading comprehension. (Author/RM)

Suggests that having students precede submission of research papers with oral presentations of their efforts can result in essays that are better grammatically and stylistically and better in the sense of having theses on practicable topics. (HOD)

An approach to encourage discussion in the mathematics classroom is presented. Teaching methods are discussed, followed by sections on planning effective mathematical situations, lesson plans which generate discussion, and controlling classroom interaction to generate discussion. (MNS)

Examined a videotaped feedback session in an undergraduate management course, particularly exploring communicator style in giving feedback. Concluded that both feedback content and form influence judgments of feedback effectiveness. (PD)

A cross-cultural sample of 311 teachers reported that students, through class discussions and assigned textbook readings, are being exposed to information about occupations and the communicator styles of organizational/occupational roles. (PD)

Explains how William Golding's novel can be used to promote the use of exploratory language. Offers activities related to the novel that involve both writing and speaking. (FL)

Sociolinguistic analysis of the ways children and teachers interact verbally may provide insight into why minority children often have difficulty in school. Examples of a classroom discussion cycle are listed and discussed. (DF)

Found that the discussions of "effective" and "ineffective" groups were distinguished by (1) how the groups examined opinions and assumptions advanced by group members; (2) how the groups evaluated alternative choices; (3) the nature of decisional premises; and (4) the nature of influence exerted by influential members of the group. (PD)

The author suggests that teachers of basic business and economics need to be involved in introducing current social and political issues in the classroom. If teachers encourage students to critically examine issues it should improve students' decision making skills and make classes more exciting and challenging. (HD)