Maintains that writing ability is vital in fulfilling geography discipline objectives of mutual understanding and emancipation. Reports on a study of the use of writing groups in college geography classrooms in the United States and Australia. Includes a student essay evaluation guide as an appendix. (CFR)

Argues that cooperative learning is useful in elementary social studies instruction. Identifies positive interdependence, student interaction, individual accountability for mastering material, and appropriate interpersonal and small group skills as essential elements of cooperative learning. Suggests that cooperative learning can help teach social…

Presents three teaching ideas involving (1) results of participation in the annual American Statistical Association's poster contest for students in grades K-12; (2) a variation on an annuity problem in which the contribution each year is increased by a given percentage; and (3) concrete activities to help students understand the meaning of radian…

Discussion of computer-mediated communication focuses on techniques developed to help groups of people communicate effectively, including cooperative learning, team building, groupware for cooperative work, decision support systems, organizational design, and shared learning. Implications for the design of computer-mediated communication systems…

Proposes an educational system called Just-in-Time Education (JITEd), which would provide higher quality education at lower costs. Three features of the system are discussed: feedback and feedforward systems; instruction on cognitive skills as well as subject matter; and a cooperative learning environment. Delivery systems and instructor role are…

Describes the Partnership Story Project in which students from two countries participate in collaborative story writing projects. Suggests that the project increases intercultural understanding by aiding in recognition of subjective dimensions of culture. Includes a sample story from the project. (DK)

Discusses the need for holistic curriculum development and reflective teaching, examining five persistent myths related to teacher education and noting strategies for refuting them. Challenges excuses for maintaining the status quo in education (lecturing and testing as the normal mode), viewing learning as an interactive process. (SM)

Presents secondary students' perceptions of cooperative learning (CL) in an attempt to understand how and why CL benefits students affectively and cognitively. After describing the structure of learning and schooling, the article discusses how CL promotes positive interdependence, social skills, work skills, and individual accountability. (SM)

A college teacher used cooperative learning in English as a Second Language and linguistics classrooms. She discovered international students enjoyed working and writing in small groups and getting to know other students. Linguistics students enjoyed whole-class cooperative projects and papers. All students gained experience in being colleagues.…

Reviews recent research on student achievement, self-concept, and curriculum and instruction showing the ineffectiveness of tracking and ability grouping. Certain court rulings show that tracking violates the equal protection clause of the Fourteenth Amendment. Innovative alternatives include cooperative learning, mastery learning, peer tutoring,…

Describes a problem to challenge students as they come back from summer vacation. Working in small groups, students discover Pick's Theorem, the formula to calculate the area of a polygon constructed on a geoboard. A writing assignment evaluates the students' efforts. (MDH)

Discussion of the use of interactive videodisc in teacher education focuses on a study of elementary education teacher students that investigated the effects of interactive video on learning concepts of cooperative learning. Treatment of experimental and control groups is described, and a model for using videodisc in teacher education is…

To study democratic participation in small town schools, educators, policymakers, and students were interviewed and observed. Presents data on citizen involvement, administrator-teacher collaboration, teacher collegiality, student voice, and cooperative learning. The democracy found had little to do with academic life. Presents recommendations to…

Discusses use of portfolios for student assessment. Suggests that such an ongoing collection of the student's best work will aid the teacher and the student in judging the quality of learning. Examines the purpose and design of the portfolio, storage containers, and evaluation. Emphasizes the need for communication and peer review in learning. (DK)

Describes a successful approach to teaching a research unit in a "problem" class. Uses word processing, group work, physical movement and manipulative activities, plenty of individual choices, and respect for each individual. (SR)