The essays in this section offer different possibilities and prospects for first-time fieldwork and make a strong case for directly supervised early fieldwork that includes peer collaboration and individual activity. (SLD)

Encourages the use of constructive controversy as a teaching method that combines cooperative learning with structured intellectual conflict. Contrasts the controversy teaching format with recitation and group discussion, and explains the method's five-step process, which moves from preparing the best possible case for a given position to dropping…

Describes a 'Moore Method' course whose purpose is to teach students to create and present in class mathematically correct proofs of theorems. Discusses grading, class discussions, ways to help students, and the extent to which to encourage cooperative learning. (Author/ASK)

Describes a multi-resource learning environment in which students can engage in their own learning with the teacher taking more of a facilitative role. This type of learning can occur as part of a unit of study and must be supplemented with more traditional types of instruction to ensure that the necessary content is given by the teacher. (SAH)

Examined the types of discourse structures emerging during peer learning and the ways in which these structures were related to learning for 105 fifth graders working in groups of 4 to learn about writing conclusions. Characterizes the discourse structure as a network of arguments and counterarguments, with argument quality positively related to…

Discusses cooperative learning in second- and foreign-language learning. The article offers a working definition of cooperative learning accompanied by examples of cooperative activities easy to incorporate into everyday teaching routines. Arguments and counterarguments regarding the strengths and weaknesses of cooperative learning are presented.…

Applies to composition teaching Adrienne Rich's concept of "seriousness," which expresses a collective vision rejecting achievement and self-development attained through traditional academic values. Argues that seriousness questions traditional sources of knowledge and authority and casts doubt on individualistic suppositions about…

Advocates the use of group work for a group of learners from a Chinese cultural background, where, to some extent, Confucian values still prevail. It is argued that group work is an appropriate methodological tool for such learners, given that it is sensitive to the three key Confucian values: cooperation, the concept of "face," and…

Presents a technique for structuring cooperative learning that enables teams to work together meaningfully on in-class exercises. Includes incentives for students to assist one another, team role survey, skills and duties of team members, and a description of the exercises and the cooperative learning principles they are designed to develop. (SK)

Compared experiences with group-based student projects in a Geographical Information Systems degree taught by one faculty member and in geography degree modules taught by another. Concludes that care must be taken in the design and execution of these projects to avoid problems that might reinforce myths about negative effects of team-based…

Investigates interactive processes among group partners and the relationship of these processes to problem-solving outcomes in two contrasting groups. Identifies three major contrastive dimensions in group interaction: (1) he mutuality of exchanges; (2) the achievement of joint attentional engagement; and (3) the alignment of group members' goals…

Presents four Dutch teachers' experiences with concept mapping, identifying features of the concept mapping task that helps it provoke and support a productive student discourse and explaining that the design of the task can affect the quality of student interaction. The paper describes the concept mapping task, student articulation of feelings,…

Describes problems the author experienced with disfunctionality in student group projects. Describes how she implemented informal and formal peer reviews throughout the term in these groups, which has helped short-circuit disfunctionality, improve student productivity, and help the instructor form a fairer overall assessment. (SR)

Presents a study investigating the role-playing approach as a teaching method. (YDS)

Provides brief information about a water course in a secondary high school in Finland that specializes in natural sciences. Students cooperated with classes from the United States. (ASK)