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…

This simulation allows students to learn about and participate in many of the aspects of ancient Greek life that have influenced present institutions and way of life. The phases of the unit include: (1) academy; (2) assembly; (3) Acropolis; (4) Theater; (5) Olympics; (6) Symposium; (7) Festival; and (8) Panhellenic Quiz Bowl. Each stage of play…

This simulation allows students to learn about the lands and customs of the people living in the countries found along the western rim of the Pacific Ocean. The class is divided into eight teams. The phases of the unit include: (1) research; (2) activities; (3) race; and (4) summing up and festival. Each stage of play involves completion of tasks…

This study investigated the influence of textbooks on teaching strategies, specifically secondary school mathematics textbooks. The study compared the teaching strategies of 14 teachers using University of Chicago School Mathematics Project (UCSMP) textbooks in 13 schools with that of another 14 teachers using traditional textbooks in those…

Two elements of constructivist pedagogy warrant attention with respect to second language (L2) learning: collaborative dialogue and learner decision-making. These two elements in instruction bring about experiential and task oriented classrooms. The constructivist approach to the L2 classroom foregrounds conceptual development focused on…

From 1989 to 2000, the K-12 population of English language learners doubled in the United States and more than tripled in 12 states. When small rural schools first enroll children whose first language is not English, there may be no teachers endorsed specifically to meet linguistic needs, and special educators may be called on for advice. Special…

This paper report the findings of the first phase of a multi-phased research project that is aimed at examining preservice teachers' development of science concepts when learning: (1) takes place at a distance, and (2) is facilitated by videoconferencing technology. The study builds on the work that was done by Lansdown (Lansdown, Blackwood, and…

This study examined differences between two populations of composition students over the course of a semester in their perceptions of collaboration as reported in the pre- and post-surveys. In addition, using an assessment rubric developed by the researchers, the study examined students' audience awareness as demonstrated in their writing. Both…

In the fall of 1997, a senior level course was taught as an interdisciplinary class for learning the processes in food product development. The course implemented many new teaching methods and technologies. It was an effort between two departments: food science and agricultural economics. Students worked in teams with industry mentors who assisted…

This handbook was designed to lead students step-by-step through the planning process for conducting a community project and, thereby, help them learn project-planning skills. The guide is organized in six sections. The first section, "Preliminary Thinking," includes topics such as motivation ("What's in it for me?"), sample projects, personal…

This article proposes several cooperative learning (CL) techniques as a way of increasing the effectiveness of group work in university-level English-as-a Second-Language (ESL) courses. Group work, at its most basic level, can be defined as students working together in a group small enough so that everyone has the opportunity to participate in a…

This paper clarifies the differences between collaborative and cooperative learning by presenting the author's definitions of the two terms, reviewing those of other authors who have helped clarify his thinking, and presenting and analyzing the educational benefits of collaborative/cooperative learning techniques. It states that collaborative…

In Flemish education, there is an ongoing debate regarding the implementation of the concept of student centered education within educational settings. In order to investigate student teachers' beliefs about the learning environment within the learning to teach process, this case study, conducted within two departments of preservice and inservice…

This guide features a problem-based learning (PBL) unit specifically designed for student-centered learning of new and meaningful content on diseases. Students grapple with a complex and changing problem that requires higher level thinking skills in an environment in which students work both individually and in collaboration with others. Includes…

This action research project evaluated a program designed to increase the use of appropriate social skills and improve academic achievement. The targeted population was comprised of first through third graders in four separate communities located in northeast Illinois. Evidence of the problem included teacher observational checklists denoting…