Composition teachers have generally embraced collaborative learning in the years since Kenneth Bruffee published his first article promoting its advantages in "College English" in 1972. But assigning collaboratively written papers in an introductory college writing course is still rare. This study assesses the benefits and drawbacks of assigning a…

Describes a collaborative writing assignment which serves as a reassuring and illuminating practice piece for the research paper. (RAE)

Explores the concept of peer writing groups by reviewing research and offering a plan for preparing, training, monitoring, and evaluating the peer writing group. (SD)

Describes a classroom study which found that mixed-sex collaborative writing pairs can be used effectively in the classroom to help students bridge the gender gap in their own writing. (SR)

Discusses teaching students in the collaborative writing classroom to acknowledge influences and credit sources. Offers classroom exercises as well as options for acknowledging sources. (SR)

Investigates both students' and instructors' perspectives on issues dealing with complications of using collaborative groups. Ascertains whether the costs of collaborative writing projects outweigh the benefits. Explores ways in which teachers can maximize benefits and minimize costs. Concludes that collaborative projects are necessary and that…

Reports student responses to a collaborative writing assignment. Argues that in the real world, collaborative efforts are common and that students need to learn how to work together on a project. (FL)

Asserts that learner-centered classroom research helps community college instructors discover how and how well students learn. Argues that teacher-initiated research projects promote collaboration in classrooms and across the campus, enhance faculty understanding of the learning process, and encourage teachers to try new methods. (RDS)