Highly sanitized curricula and instructional approaches restrict the self-development needed to promote societal well-being. This problem is exacerbated in the early grades, where discussion of controversial social issues seemingly contradicts the goal of maintaining an emotionally safe classroom environment. This article examines how three…

Describes an online discussion assignment that was part of a class in a liberal arts college. Considers liberal arts learning theories and the place of online discussion within the writing process, and concludes that it is the instructional strategies embedded in the online discussion, not the online environment itself, that sustains a liberal…

Proposes a model for training college students in theater arts based on a pedagogy program employed at the University of Oregon. Notes that this pedagogy process differs from student teaching in that it meets the particular needs of each participant. Outlines the components of the program, which include office hours, a journal, secretarial tasks,…

Uses two discussion questions to teach Camus'"The Guest." Reminds students that in their discussions they need to pay close attention to the text. Explains to the students that the point of view Camus is using points to the fact that he wants the reader to focus on the character, Daru, and perhaps identify with him. (SG)

Discusses pharmacy students' dissatisfaction with an online discussion forum based on course evaluations and describes the instructors' redesign of the discussion forum. Reports on the action research project used to evaluate the current discussion forum in the online class and concludes the more learner-centered design has been successful.…

Provides examples of children's books and discussion prompts that can be used to facilitate mathematical discussions in teaching and learning. (Author/NB)

Lists several reasons why having students "type their talk" within electronic discussions is important. Presents some practical suggestions of things learned over the years to get students to "type their talk" and enable their words to bring meaning to the electronic discussion of short fiction. (SG)

Describes how "The Garden of Forking Paths" presents teaching challenges that ultimately yield benefits worth the effort for students and instructors. Discusses a three-tiered approach: spy story, family history and character, and ideas of time and timelessness. Concludes that the three layers provide a structure to get the discussion started and…

Discusses how Ray Bradbury's script for the one hundredth episode of "The Twilight Zone" and the short story of the same title, "I Sing the Body Electric," rings so true in 2002. Notes that this "simple story" has never failed to generate some of the best discussions and papers. Discusses how the author teaches this…

Examined group discussions among English as a Second Language college students and teachers regarding plagiarism. Through negotiation with more experienced peers and instructors, students negotiated and co-constructed notions of plagiarism by working in their zones of proximal development. Concludes that such socially situated discourse is…

This study examined the use of online argumentation scaffolds to engage and support coherent argumentation. Participants were students in an undergraduate economics course. Results showed that providing a constraint-based argumentation scaffold during group problem-solving activities increased the generation of coherent arguments and resulted in…

Addresses the question of how literature should be discussed with children. Illustrates how a knowledge of literature beyond a single story and beyond a particular child's response can be of help in teaching. (SR)

Explores the benefits of a hermeneutic orientation to technical writing instruction. Examines the historical and philosophical sources that have influenced technical writing pedagogy, and describes the usefulness of hermeneutic inquiry and its potential for technical writing teachers. (SG)

In a method called "cooperative controversy," students team up to study controversial subjects, then synthesize their findings. In a philosophy course, small-groups work on a specific philosophical problem. Group work was as effective as traditional lecture in three cases and more effective in two cases. (MLW)

Presents an overview of the National Endowment for the Humanities sponsored Let's Talk about It Program. The intended audience is examined, the role of the scholar analyzed, and the special responsibilities of the discussion leader delineated. Results of the program are evaluated and suggestions for planning a program are offered. (six references)…