The structural approach to cooperative learning is based on the creation, analysis, and systematic application of content-free ways to organize classroom interactions. Structures (outlined in a table) have differing uses in the academic, cognitive, and social domains, such as team building, communication building, mastery, and concept development.…

The Greenwich (Connecticut) Public Schools have developed a six-step cooperative education training design: (1) an overview combined with hands-on experience; (2) training on work time; (3) inschool support; (4) visible and continuing district support; (5) expanded training opportunities to meet increased interest; and (6) development of training…

An instructional unit designed for an advanced core French class uses a cooperative learning model. Related activities include an introduction and grouping exercise, completion of a question set, wrap-up, evaluation, and followup activities, and vocabulary and questions are appended. (MSE)

Discusses findings of a study designed to achieve two goals: (1) determine the affect of peer collaboration on high school biology students' acquisition of concepts related to photosynthesis, and (2) examine interactions in a collaborative peer group situation to determine how these interactions relate to the development of concepts associated…

Some teachers justify group grading for cooperative projects using specious arguments that invoke real-world comparison, employment skills, motivation, teacher workload, and credit for teamwork. This article argues that group grades are blatantly unfair, invalidate report cards, undermine motivation, convey the wrong message, violate individual…

Describes a class activity to help students gain insights into the collaborative process and to launch them into a collaborative report. (SR)

The relative impacts of cooperative and competitive efforts on problem-solving success were explored in a review of 46 studies. Findings from these studies were categorized by problem-solving type and subjected to a meta-analysis. Members of cooperative teams outperformed competitive individuals on the identified types of problem solving. (SLD)

Explores how colleges and universities are responding to the directives of the Accounting Education Change Commission for introductory accounting classes and whether these classrooms use cooperative learning techniques. (Author/JOW)

The Cooperative Learning Project Staff at Cleveland State University studied implementation effects of training and support teams on cooperative learning at nine middle schools. Findings showed that administrators should be trained with teachers and must shape an appropriate environment, recognize the importance of support teams, provide necessary…

Discusses the shortcomings of traditional management education. Offers the Management Exercise Approach as an alternative, which provides students with opportunities to develop and practice management skills within the educational institution. (SR)

Argues that a new pedagogy for a new teaching is needed, suggesting and describing the roles of scholar, teacher, and communicator. Points out that computers are more than tools--that hypertext environments and networked collaborations make teachers view the world differently and imagine new possibilities. (SR)

Explains cooperative learning and provides a sample implementation of the group investigation model. Suggests that implementation of the group investigation model in a graduate-level reading education course supports the findings of cooperative learning in the literature. Argues that cooperative learning should be a part of teacher education…

Democratic education is intended to develop educated citizens and to allow leadership to emerge from individual talents. Effective teaching should strive to realize the principles of liberty, equality, and fraternity rather than following the shifting sands of educational trends. (SK)

Explains how one teacher combined reciprocal teaching and cooperative learning to promote active learning and encourage students to assume a variety of responsibilities. (MG)

The Delaware RE:Learning project is based on Theodore Sizer's work with the Coalition of Essential Schools and is supported by the Education Commission of the States. RE:Learning principles include building a new vision of education, organizing around student learning, creating new working relationships, developing coherence and meaning, and…