Results of a survey indicate that about 74 percent of those teaching introductory college speech courses use group discussion techniques as part of their class activities. The most prominent group assignments are panel discussions and symposiums. Other popular activities include discussions on determining class procedures, on social issues, and on interpersonal communication theory. Instructors in small schools tend not to use group discussion in the beginning courses, and discussion activities are seldom included in classes that are either very large or very small. The more oriented a course is toward public speaking, the less likely it is that the instructor will include small group assignments. Overall, inclusion of small group discussions depends largely on the instructor's own training in such activities and the importance he attaches to the value of discussion as a unit in the basic course. (RN)