An effective seminar is about discussion, exchanges of ideas and developing understanding: but is this always achieved? This paper evaluates a pilot study into whether group process support technology has the potential to improve the learning experience of students in seminar groups by increasing participation and focusing debate. The trial involved 86 undergraduate students. The technology consists of wireless handsets, a PC and data projector. The use of the technology was varied to increase our understanding of how it could be used effectively. The Pilot Study received a positive evaluation by both the tutor and the student group. The results are encouraging, and the paper concludes by establishing further research issues, how this application of technology can be developed and briefly describes how the technology has been subsequently used in the University of Glamorgan Business School.

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The processes underpinning child protection decision-making have been less frequently studied than the consequences of decision outcomes. This paper reports the findings of three investigations into the dynamics and processes involved in reaching decisions about the registration of children as at risk. The three studies reflect an approach which is to triangulate onto the core of decision processes by focusing on different aspects of those processes. Study One reports the findings of a linguistic and discursive analysis of transcripts of child protection conferences which has provided a framework for the second and third studies. Study Two reports on the views of child protection chairpersons about the level of satisfaction felt with process and outcomes of child protection conferences. Study Three describes the outcomes of a trial to support the conference process through the use of a group support system. The findings of the research support those of earlier studies. In addition, a number of process-related issues are identified. The paper concludes that a suitably designed form of online group support has the potential to alleviate the effects of the difficulties in communication which have been identified by this and other studies.

Learning is not just about the acquisition of knowledge but is an activity contributing to change and enrichment of the individual. The focus in this article on the socio-cultural aspects of learning has been influenced by the work of Vygotsky and Leont’ev. Engeström’s triangle was used as a framework to conceptualize the effect of the technology on postgraduate tutorials. It helped in the analysis and understanding of the impact of using group process technology to support the social dimensions of learning. The framework in this article builds on the interrelationships between three themes: individual and collective learning in groups; conversational learning; and the role of technology as an aid to learning. The article discusses explorations into improving debate, increasing participation, and supporting a cooperative learning environment with interactive technology with postgraduate business students.