Communication scholars have addressed a number of theoretical issues concerning the basis of knowledge and reality. They have not, however, accompanied their theories with parallel empirical studies. Given the important implications such work might have for the interpretation and generalizability of observer accounts, two studies were conducted…

Retreats, which have been used by churches and corporations for some time, are currently being looked into by college presidents and boards of trustees as a means of training and problem solving. While many types of retreats may not be appropriate for boards, a well-planned working retreat can be an effective way for trustees to: (1) really get to…

In this study comparing peer group conversation with conversation in other settings, five college freshmen were observed and taped in the 12th week of the semester during a group discussion about their own writing. Four types of conversational moves were tallied: structural comments, solicitations, responses, and reactions. Comparison of these…

A number of researchers argue that the classroom must nurture an environment providing modeling, rehearsal, and coaching, for students and teachers alike, to develop a capacity for critical thinking. Despite the difficulties, many teachers are now promoting critical thinking in the classroom. They are (1) promoting critical thinking by infusing…

A discussion of role-playing as a teaching technique in pre-service language teacher education suggests procedures for acquainting teacher trainees with role-playing and preparing them to write their own role-plays. The method aims to overcome trainee resistance to group work. Exposure to role-playing takes three forms: (1) trainees view a film…

In the first section of this monograph, the reasons why the personal nature of teaching makes it relatively impervious to outside influences are explored. It is suggested that change in education occurs only when the individual teacher changes. Educational innovation is viewed as a matter of facilitating and sustaining modification in the…

This report describes the methodology and results of a study of racist attitudes and behaviors. The introduction provides the background and states difficulties due to funding and time constraints. Research and data collection procedures are delineated in the second section. In section 3, results are presented in tabular form, and intercoder…

Reports an investigation designed to determine if using programmed textbook units in rather typical courses improved student test performance and enriched student interaction in class discussion. (PEB)

This study focused on the role played by two factors--interpersonal attractiveness of group members and pattern of distribution of task-relevant information--in forming an influence base in task-oriented discussion groups. For purposes of the study, members of discussion groups who were confederates in the study were assigned attitudinal…

The author introduces the concept of "inferring value teacher behavior." This behavior is essentially a value statement formulated by the teacher about a student's value. It contains the three characteristics of value statements (states the characteristics, identifies it as a value, identifies a value referent) but, in addition, the…

A theory of interpersonal communication called "the coordinated management of meaning" (CMM) involves three propositions. (1) The fundamental unit of communication is the "speech act," something that the speaker does to the listener by making that particular message at that time. (2) The structure of communication is episodic, consisting of a…

English teachers should prepare students for the act of writing, through prewriting experiences that provide for motivation, collection of data, and ordering of data. Group brainstorming relating to a given topic is helpful in generating ideas for writing; individual brainstorming may be used by students in recalling and listing images. Class and…

This paper is based on the evaluation of the Tanzanian education campaign called "Man is Health." It reviews the genesis of the campaign, objectives and organization, training system, examples of the groups at work, preliminary findings, and other significant aspects of the total effort. (Author)

Research supported by Grant No. HD-01762-01 from the National Institute of Child Health and Human Development.

Sponsored by National Institute of Mental Health grant MH-08274.