There is considerable evidence that 'active learning' strategies are more efficacious than traditional 'passive learning' methods (e.g. lecture). Presented here is a small group active learning project developed for undergraduate social psychology students. The activity involves carrying out and reporting the results of a structured demonstration…

Music classrooms are diverse and joyful; however, it can be challenging for music teachers to meet the needs of all students. One approach to enhancing the music learning of students with disabilities is to use peer-assisted learning strategies. The purpose of this article is to describe the benefits of peer-assisted learning for students with and…

With the nationwide focus on increasing students understanding and use of technology, many teachers are beginning to incorporate a variety of technology into small group rotations. However, the use of technology during these rotations often does not require students to use higher level thinking or problem solving skills. By eliminating the…

On entering Mr. Wilson's seventh-grade classroom, the authors immediately noticed the students talking about mathematics and their teacher listening to them. To create an interactive learning environment that would stimulate and perpetuate discourse, Wilson discussed two main issues with his students: (1) What the students and teacher would do in…

Today's classrooms increasingly challenge teachers to address a diverse range of backgrounds, abilities, and learning needs. As teachers rise to the challenge, grouping can be a valuable instructional tool to address varying ability levels and learning needs within the classroom. At present, there is a good deal of support in the literature for…

Identifies a four-step process for giving task instructions for small groups: (1) give the rationale, (2) explain the task, (3) define the context, and (4) explain what is to be reported. (CT)

Based on 198 independent findings from 71 studies with experimental or statistical controls, the results of this meta-analysis indicate that, on average, students learning with computers in small groups attempted a greater amount of task (d + = +0.15), used more learning strategies (d + = +0.36), had more positive attitude toward small group…

Community colleges--institutions that serve disproportionate numbers of poor, working-class, first-generation, non-traditional, and minority students--are uniquely positioned to provide liberating educational experiences to a diverse spectrum of society. Cross (2000) aptly describes the current interest in cooperative and/or collaborative learning…

Modeling the processes of effective teaching through cooperative learning, creating a community of learners, and other interactive teaching strategies are discussed. As teacher education students become involved in their own reading and writing, they take ownership of their own learning and begin to feel a part of a larger community of learners.…

This paper reports on the work of Ransom A. Mackie, a scholar and instructor in Massachusetts under the mentorship of G. Stanley Hall, the prominent adolescent psychologist. Mackie published a book in 1920 which, along with further writings, outlines a cooperative learning strategy. Performance-based education and authentic assessment proponents…

Discusses instructional considerations of group size for computerized instruction. Situations calling for individual use, small group use, and large use of computers are described; individualistic, competitive, and cooperative learning are explained; peer tutoring versus teacher guidance is examined; and courseware selection is discussed. (eight…

Among the many teaching strategies that actively engage students are writing tasks, speaking activities, small-group activities, case-study methods of instruction, simulations, role plays, and field studies. The use of writing and small-group discussion by teaching assistants is discussed. (MLW)

Cooperative group learning involves organizing students in small heterogeneous groups to work on academic assignments. This paper reports a staff development project to implement cooperative group learning for 417 general education middle school and junior high school students, including 41 special education students. To impart cooperative…

The focus of this paper is the benefits and successes accruing from using cooperative learning in the classroom. The background of small group instruction as an effective learning strategy is discussed. Descriptions are given of several cooperative learning techniques--Student Teams-Achievement Divisions, Teams-Games-Tournaments, Jigsaw, and…

Discussed is the research project that used small-group problem solving as a primary instructional strategy of second grade mathematics for an entire year. The mutual construction of classroom norms for cooperative learning style is illustrated and examples of resulting learning opportunities are given. (MDH)