Describes five games (two for preschool children, three for all ages) used in adventure-, challenge-, and experiential-education settings. Includes target group, group size, time and space requirements, activity level, props needed, instructions, and variations. The games act as icebreakers; build group trust and cooperation; or nurture positive,…

This document is one of a set of four documents which present a personnel development program aimed at improving the competence of instructional leaders in planning and implementing curricula in generic work skills, especially in vocational education. (Generic work skills are defined as those skills that facilitate the operation of goal-oriented…

Claims that encouraging children to act cooperatively instead of competitively can make learning a positive experience for the majority of students. Suggests activities which encourage this shift. (JK)

Presents three exercises that deal with issues in communication: (1) icebreaking techniques for seminar groups, including individual, pair, and small group formats; (2) a workshop that stresses cooperative groupwork, including competitive teams; and (3) a workshop that encourages assertiveness in learning situations and discusses submissiveness,…

Describes nine group activities used to build cooperation and teamwork in adventure-, challenge-, and experiential-education settings. Includes target group, group size, time and space requirements, activity level, props needed, instructions, ideas for post-activity group processing and reflection, and facilitator tips. Target groups include…

Describes a class exercise in which student teams answer questions about meetings, after which the class discusses and analyzes results. Shows how this leads students to understand how the interplay of ideas, personalities, and environment--the ecology--of a meeting contributes to productivity in group process, and understand the need to…

This document is one in a set of four documents which present a personnel development program aimed at improving the competence of instructional leaders in planning and implementing curricula in generic work skills, especially in vocational education. (Generic work skills are defined as those skills that facilitate the operation of goal-oriented…

Experience with student teams working on policy analysis projects indicates the need for faculty supervision of teams in the process of addressing complex issues. The problem-solving approach adopted in one policy analysis course is described, including assignments and tasks, issues and sponsors, team dynamics, conflict management, and the…

These lesson plans describe some of the basic conflict resolution lessons developed and used over the past years. The collection focuses on seven communication skills, sequenced from skills and activities that generally require the least amount of trust to those that require more. The skills identified include: (1) attention; (2) observation; (3)…

Working collaboratively can be uncomfortable and bewildering, especially for developmental students. It is common for students to be anxious about their first experience with group work, and often they have a lot of questions about grading, cooperation, and what might happen if the group does not get along. The amount of time and variety of ways…

Cooperative learning is a generic classroom technique that requires students to work and talk together about academic material while learning effective interpersonal skills. This packet, prepared in conjunction with the Minnesota School Effectiveness Program, describes the benefits of cooperative learning and defines its critical attributes,…

Cooperative learning is a teaching strategy that promotes the positive interaction of children in small, heterogeneous groups. Each group contain three or four students of varying achievement levels, backgrounds, socio-economic status, and sex. Cooperative learning processes promote student motivation, build group skills, foster social and…

Over 800 studies suggest that students who learn via cooperative learning groups--as compared to competitive or individualistic learning--(1) achieve more; (2) are more positive about school, subject areas, and teachers; (3) are more positive about each other, regardless of ability or ethnic background, handicapped or not; and (4) are more…

Group Support Systems (GSS) is a computer-based technology designed to improve group processes and outcomes that can be effective in teaching international business classes in such areas as strategic planning, negotiations, case studies, and course evaluation. When contemplating use of GSS, instructors must consider hardware, software, facilities,…

Suggests looking at group dynamics when managing conflicts between children in the classroom. Uses an example from the classroom to demonstrate how teachers can facilitate safe and fair conflict management, increase cooperative behavior, and, as a result, contribute to children's self-esteem. Discusses careful observation in the classroom,…