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…

An overview is presented of the work and theories of three teams of researchers who have focused on cooperative learning. Cooperative learning has become the outstanding example of an educational innovation in which practice is informed by research; the collective leadership of these teams has advanced its use. (JD)

Studies show that training students in the use of social and cognitive strategies contributes to learning; however, low-achieving students seem unable to benefit from such interventions. This intervention study addressed the following question: In secondary mathematics, what are the general and differential effects of training students in social…

Describes a paraphrasing technique from a methodology called Teaching for Thinking as a means to promote more effective discussion in small group sessions. A paraphrase that highlights assumptions or that provides an interpretation of a student's statement encourages students to think beyond what they have said. Critiques sample teacher responses…

Presents an experiment to examine the relative effects of cooperative groups versus independent practice in helping students encode problem-solving strategies into their long-term memory. Four classes of 126 prealgebra students were randomly assigned to employ the 2 methodologies. Students who practiced in cooperative groups demonstrated greater…

Maintains that group work is an integral part of the California History-Social Science Framework's three central goals. Reviews research studies on the effectiveness of small group instruction. Discusses teacher role, factors that affect interaction, student characteristics, and teaching methods associated with effective group instruction. (CFR)

This publication is the third volume in the "Advanced in Research on Teaching" series, which has been established to provide state-of-the-art conceptualization and analysis of the processes involved in functioning as a classroom teacher. This volume focuses on the planning and managing of learning tasks and activities, in particular,…