All teachers want their students to become independent learners, but even motivated students are reluctant to take responsibility for their own learning. So what every teacher needs is this book's tried-and-true method for gradually enabling students to take on more of the "work" of classroom learning. Two experienced teachers describe a…

Offers adaptations of content area reading techniques that can help teachers integrate mainstreamed children into small groups with other members of their classes. Techniques include (1) the Jigsaw strategy, (2) the list-group-label strategy, and (3) the small group structured overview. (FL)

Teaching techniques and small-group activities to give French language students the tools and skills to begin French literature study are discussed. Variety in course content, approach to texts, and techniques that promote active participation and enthusiasm help students acquire skills in literary analysis in a foreign language. (MSE)

This paper describes the use of cooperative groups in teaching calculus. It discusses benefits and drawbacks of group techniques and presents reactions from both students and the author. (Author)

In successfully establishing and having students complete group tasks within a cooperative learning framework, 14 essential elements must be present. The elements necessary for cooperative learning are: (1) a clear set of specific student learning outcome objectives; (2) all students in the group accept the targeted outcome; (3) clear and complete…

Three studies involving 44 learning-disabled junior high students assessed the impact of strategy instruction in individual, small group, and whole class instruction in one knowledge domain: algebra. The three studies are contrasted, outcome data are compared, and the issue of generality-specificity in strategy instruction is examined. (JDD)

Shared are personal experiences in the development and implementation of cooperative learning methods in the mathematics classroom. Presented are methods to begin team building, teach social skills, and promote improved learning results. Benefits include greater student participation, interstudent communication, higher-order thinking, and teacher…

Originally developed for the Department of Defense Schools (DoDDS) system, this learning package on collaborative and cooperative learning techniques is designed for teachers who wish to upgrade or expand their teaching skills on their own. The package includes a comprehensive search of the ERIC database; a lecture giving an overview on the topic;…

Examines how the strategies of cooperative learning complement inquiry into major global issues. Points out that most of the basic skills identified by Steven Lamy for a global education program are inquiry skills and that cooperative inquiry best serves these objectives. Maintains that cooperative learning empowers students and creates a…

Reviewed are the basic principles of cooperative learning including a rationale for its use and the formation of cooperative learning groups in the classroom. Examples of the application of this teaching method to mathematics teaching are discussed. (CW)

This paper is a case study of a middle school in the Midwest that was involved with a national project over a 3-year period in trying to create a professional learning community. The case study includes background, areas of focused reflection, a school profile, case questions to stimulate dialogue and problem-solving, and author's reflections. The…

Presents findings of a 1988 study of 104 middle school students, examining the relationship between learner style preference and instructional grouping. Identifies preference groups: learning alone, learning with peers, or no preference. Finds that students performed equally well on four social studies lessons when instructional strategy matched…

Provides a series of guidelines for overcoming resistance and problems with cooperative projects in an introductory sociology course. These include coordinating common interests and common free time between team members, requiring allocation of various roles (presider, scribe, coordinator), and ongoing monitoring of the research teams. (MJP)

Contends that an important goal in history instruction is helping students understand the complexity of events. Describes the use of "Escalation," a commercially available computer simulation, in a high school U.S. history class. Includes excerpts from student journals kept during the activity. (CFR)

Maintains that undergraduate sociology students often are intimidated by course requirements in statistics and research methods. Describes course content and instructional strategies used to enhance student understanding and motivation. Reports that student evaluations of the course were uniformly positive. (CFR)