Since the publication of the first edition, the use of protocols has spread from conferences and workshops to everyday school and university settings. Responding to educators' ongoing needs, this new edition features seven completely new protocols. This teaching and professional development tool is essential for anyone working with collaborative groups of teachers on everything from school improvement to curriculum development to teacher education at all levels.
I read the third edition, which has some worthwhile additions from earlier ones. Great book for how to structure and facilitate discussions in educational settings. Most of the techniques can be applied to settings other than education. I found the print fine and size difficult to read.
Conversations in team or department settings need to be constrained in order to heighten participation. Protocols, just as in IT, are methods that allow members to effectively "talk" with one another to ensure that different perspectives and ideas are heard. The majority of the book consists of explanations of the various activities (opening a meeting, closing, deepening the conversation, etc) that could be used.