See TE 499 864, above. An answer guide to the exercises in this unit is contained in "Cases and Controversy" (TE 499 864).

This study examined interaction among members in small groups under different leadership conditions: leadership by teacher, by untrained student, and by trained student. Small groups of low-income fifth- and sixth-grade students were videotaped as they discussed solutions to problem-solving stories. Analysis of the tapes shows that trained…

This paper focuses on the selection, training, and monitoring of the small group leaders in an extensive program of sex education. It discusses leadership screening, early orientation, small group training sessions, practice leadership, supervision, evaluation, and problem solution in this highly sensitive area of sexuality. (Author)

Focuses on various levels of diabetic patients' involvement in the care of their disease and effects of these levels on how closely they later followed self-care programs. Suggests that by participating in group discussions about excuses for not following a self-care regimen, and offering solutions to counter those excuses, diabetic patients…

This article considers the experience of a long and significant relationship with a number of students at M.I.T. This student group developed an extraclinical association, and their reactions to this association are evaluated. (Author/RK)

Describes the function of the Institute of Theoretical Physics at the University of California, Santa Barbara. Its establishment and the interests of some of the researchers there, are discussed. (SA)

Presents techniques for stimulating and managing worthwhile class discussion sessions. (Editor/SJL)

The use of a group process approach to social problem solving with 32 12- and 13-year-old hearing impaired adolescents is described. It is explained that the classroom meetings lasted about 15 minutes and that the initial sessions focused on student's reactions to the class bully. The roles of the teacher in the group are discussed. (PHR)

A "Think Tank Discussion Program" was an effective means for promoting interaction among seven non-handicapped students and a profoundly hearing impaired student as well as providing a small group alternative to whole class discussion. The hearing impaired student's contributions were stimulated by comments from other students and the program…

Examines whether exploratory talk in small groups can help students assimilate new information on complex topics more effectively than can participation in a class discussion or lecture. Finds that, of the three treatments, small group discussion is more effective in improving the students' knowledge as they prepared to write and in the quality of…

Discusses three recent books that focus on discussion as a way of engaging children, of helping them deepen their understandings of themselves and the books they read, and of structuring a literature-based curriculum that supports their comprehension and critical reading development. (SR)

Discusses how to teach people to think, examining how reflective thinking occurs in interpretive discussion and emphasizing interpretive discussions found in all classrooms at all levels. Presents a musical example, a literary example, and a classroom conversation to support the hypothesis that questions evolve as a cluster, growing as discussants…

The journey of one third-grade teacher, Karla Peterson, as she implemented literature discussion groups for the first time, highlighting the ways she moved through this transition, supported students in their struggles, and renegotiated her role in the process is shared. Focus is made on the transition period when literature discussions move from…

Readers, texts, and readings can take unpredictable and seemingly tangential detours that educators might find undesirable and difficult to control. Readers can stray far from the text to seek out desired meanings. In the same way, media outlets can reappropriate favorite literary fictions in ways that can perturb educators and readers alike.…