Presents a classroom exercise which asks undergraduates to assign a social class ranking to nine family names which stereotypically represent ethnic groups. Students are also asked to rate the degree to which they believe social class can be inferred from ethnic family names. Presents results from several years of data collection in different…

Presents a conversational analysis of children's re-created play episodes drawn from a larger study of children's dramatic play and its re-creation through teacher-led discussions. The analysis provides an empirical framework by which educators may reflect upon the utility and appropriateness of this practice. (Author/MS)

By reviewing this analysis of the behavior of both groups and individuals in groups, human resources managers can learn to tell whether committees, task forces, and departments may be encouraging or inhibiting the work they set out to do. (Author)

An information-support group developed to meet the needs of moderately hearing-impaired college students featured role playing, simulation, group discussions, and social activities. (Author/CL)

Reports how 10 college students in a psychology of personality course increased their awareness of their own implicit theories of personality by completing an 18-item questionnaire dealing with various issues of personality. Instructor-supplied responses representing the perspectives of Freud, Skinner, Rogers, and Glasser were used to foster…

This exercise will help secondary students work through their fears about nuclear war. It consists of a brief introduction by the teacher, questions that the teacher asks the students, students sharing with partners after each question, and students sharing with the whole group following the partner-sharing. (RM)

The summer component of the Stanford Teacher Education Program (STEP) emphasizes reflective teaching in a six-week clinical experience. The merger of STEP with the Upward Bound Program provides student teachers with daily opportunities to apply and reflect upon the pedagogical theory developed in their coursework. (MT)

Argues that since young students often find expository material difficult to understand, teachers must take special care in preparing lessons on such materials. Proposes an approach that can help teachers through planning and teaching expository text. (FL)

Discussion done right is a marvelous tool for teaching and learning. Suggestions to help teachers improve classroom discussions are presented. Many of the suggestions are based on William S. Howell's and Donald K. Smith's book "Discussion." (RM)

Examined whether moral behavior and moral thought can be affected by discussion of Kohlberg-type moral dilemmas. Students (N=96) engaged in one of three discussion situations and a free-recall task. Results supported Kohlberg's suggestions that moral behavior as well as thought can sometimes be taught. (JAC)

Eduard Lindeman's book, "The Meaning of Adult Education," and its continued importance in higher education is discussed. Lindeman's thoughts on adult education and its social function and aesthetic relevance are explored. The use of discussion groups as a method of educational discourse is advocated. (DF)

Compared the effectiveness of cognitive restructuring (CR) and a structured group discussion (SGD) in preventing stress and improving self-concept in 209 high school freshmen. Results showed posttreatment attitudes were equal for both programs. The CR homework produced a significant decrease in students' perceived level of emotion. (JAC)

Presents the edited transcripts of some of the discussions authors held over the past year with a 26-year-old man labeled mentally retarded by his family, school teachers, and others in his life. (Author/AM)

A case study shows how a residence hall staffer developed a program around student interest in ultimate questions, religiously defined. (Author)

Reviews a study indicating that articulate deviates expressing themselves within the context of informal group discussions are capable of exerting considerable influence on the opinions of others. (MH)