Hackathons are characterized by their dynamic and collaborative nature, acting as incubators for innovation in diverse contexts. They are celebrated for nurturing creativity and tackling current challenges while offering distinctive educational opportunities. However, participants' lack of confidence and increased anxiety can diminish the utility…

The Peer Assisted Learning (PAL) program at the University of Minnesota is a primary academic support program for historically difficult, introductory college courses that serve as gatekeepers to academic degree programs. Based upon operating principles of other academic support programs and educational theories, PAL is integrated into the courses…

We present an analysis and discussion of the "tanda," a multiperson pooled credit and savings scheme (a rotating credit association or RCA), as described by two informants from Mexican immigrant communities in California. In the tanda, participants contribute regularly to a common fund which is distributed to participants on a rotating…

The University of Nebraska's Home Management Group Project involves groups of four to six students in the accomplishment of a self-determined goal on a topic in home management. The activity provides an opportunity for practical application of theory as well as for practice in group relations. (SK)

Suggests innovative solutions for mutual benefits for self-help groups and the professionals. Through a derivative paradigm the role of the professional helper within self-help groups is presented. (Author/BL)

A group of 20 teenagers in a Mobilization for Youth project were involved in the invention and production of educational games. The direct, cooperative participation in such an educational process made the experience a real and creative learning activity which had a comprehensible, achievable goal. These games were not made for competitive sale…

Advocates the use of two frameworks, "gathering" and "sharing," for junior high school homework assignments that connect the classroom to the outside world and make students responsible for some of their own learning. (NKA)

Teacher adopts standards of measurement as an incentive toward understanding non-standard concepts and as a way of teaching children to work together. (RK)

A resource room containing information about outdoor programs generates individual and cooperative learning activities and outdoor experiences. Although adventure participants are responsible for decisions and risks undertaken, the program should attempt to enhance experiences by reducing difficulties brought on by outsiders, institutions, and red…

This paper suggests methods for incorporating cooperative learning into the college classroom, including both short-term and long-term activities. It stresses the importance of self-directed work teams in the work environment and the contribution of cooperative learning in the college classroom to building team work skills. Cooperative learning is…

Discusses an attempt to have students learn chemistry by conducting and discussing laboratory experiments in small groups largely independent of the teacher. The project results and the 30 experiments that student groups conducted are described. (WB)

The Academic Foundations Department at Rutgers University developed an alternative method for encouraging writing that allows the students to work together in small groups. This method, called group composing, has many advantages: it is process-oriented rather than product-focused; it allows students to become aware of the options available to…

This 35-minute, black and white, 16mm, sound film was made at the Fayerweather Street School in Cambridge, Massachusetts, and narrated by John Holt. It is designed to show what happens in a school in which children are free to move about, to talk, and to plan and direct their own work. The film shows children of different ages engaged in…

Discusses several methods the author uses to overcome students' negative attitudes about working in small groups. Discusses preliminary activities (including a class discussion and direct instruction). Describes the group assignment, including a general overview, specifics of the assignment, and ways to overcome common group work problems. (SR)

Describes the advantages of students' free discussion groups in literature classes. Provides a transcription of five students discussing a poem. (RL)