In this regular feature of "Educational Technology," Michael F. Shaughnessy and Susan M. Fulgham present their interview with Ryan Watkins, Associate Professor of Educational Technology at the George Washington University and the author of 10 books and more than 95 articles. In this interview, Watkins discusses the following topics:…

Provides an overview to this section that continues discussions and responses from a previous issue that addressed situated cognition and its implications for learning. The situated learning model is explained, including the key components of apprenticeship, collaboration, reflection, coaching, multiple practice, and articulation of learning…

In this article, the author responds to Dr. Shoemaker's review of her recent book. Their disagreement lies in differing definitions of collaborative learning. Dr. Shoemaker describes collaborative processes as privileging the affective over the cognitive, and minimizing engagement with content. He notes that the author supports the involvement of…

Describes and compares various assumptions of instructional design and of constructivism, some of which have been raised in other articles in this issue. Topics discussed include instructional design theory; instructional systems theory; mental models; categories of knowledge; knowledge representation; instructional strategies; collaborative…

Discusses computer-supported cooperative learning (CSCL) in the context of computer-supported cooperative work (CSCW). Highlights include learning as a process in CSCW, learning as a task, learning research and CSCL, methodologies of researchers in CSCL, learning outcomes, and educational research issues in CSCL. Contains 62 references. (LRW)

Describes the writing theories of Lev Vygotsky, and how they are borne out by modern research. Asserts the Vygotsky's ideas show why cooperative learning strategies such as peer response groups fit into the beginning stages of the composing process. Discusses Vygotsky's zone of proximal development. (PRA)

Recounts one teacher's experience at unsuccessfully solving spatial problems in a workshop experimenting with individualistic and cooperative learning approaches to problem solving. This humbling experience reminded the author that failure is humiliating and can arise from simply not knowing how to think about a task. All humans are "at-risk"…

The Clinical Learning Spiral incorporates reflective processes into undergraduate nursing education. It entails successive cycles of four phases: preparative (briefing, planning), constructive (practice development), reflective (debriefing), and reconstructive (planning for change and commitment to action). (SK)

Discusses three philosophical pillars that support collaborative learning: "spaces of appearance," active engagement, and ownership. Describes classroom experiences with collaborative learning supported by these pillars. (PRA)

Discusses changes in ideas about learning underlying reforms in science education. Highlights experiences with project-based science, which focuses on student-designed inquiry organized by investigations to answer driving questions, including collaboration among learners, new technology, and the creation of authentic artifacts that represent…

This chapter explores the dynamics and processes of peer group influences in learning settings from a social constructivist perspective. A two-tiered model of peer influences is presented, in which environments for learning are linked with mechanisms and processes most likely to underpin student learning. A distinction is drawn between more…

Organizational learning is fundamentally a communication phenomenon and, as such, communication research is particularly well suited to contribute to the understanding of this occurrence. Three communicative processes are constitutive of learning organizations: (1) collective thinking processes, whose three components are collectivity, idea…

Discussion of the design considerations of educational software developers highlights considerations concerning educational needs. Topics discussed include interaction among learners, teachers, and software; learning processes; teachers' roles; effects of knowledge representation on learning and understanding; collaborative learning; curriculum…

Discusses the impact of computer-supported cooperative work tools in the creation of educational environments and the facilities such tools bring to teaching methods, and examines the relationship between new techniques and the learner-centered, active learning approach in higher education. The importance of collaborative learning in this context…

When teaching beginning reading, the use of certain children's stories, called predictable books, can yield higher reading comprehension skills, provide excellent practice for sight words, and teach good oral reading skills. A nurturing classroom environment is an important component of an effective beginning reading curriculum. An effective…