1980s reform strategies amounted to fine-tuning a model T. Inner-city high schoolers' reading and writing skills cannot be improved if each teacher is responsible for 175 students. The 800 schools participating in Coalition of Essential Schools projects share certain characteristics: small size; collegiality among educators, parents, and community…

The Internet is the one area that has had the greatest impact on the business world. It allows one to communicate, collaborate, and conduct research better, faster, and less expensively than ever before. Applications for business educators include a variety of World Wide Web pages on such subjects as accounting, career exploration and searching,…

Discusses the challenges of sponsoring extracurricular drama activities from the planning of a theatre season to the supervision of acting. Suggests changes to make the job more manageable. Makes a case for why dramatic productions are especially effective vehicles of education. (TB)

Presents refections about learning technology based on the philosophies of John Dewey and group learning processes. Topics discussed include collaborative inquiry; current conceptions of learning and technology, including the use of multimedia, telecommunications, and computers; distinguishing inquiry from use and enjoyment; and implications for…

Describes mapping, a collaborative activity to stimulate discussion or summarize learning. (SR)

In groups, 49 accounting students completed a 5-week analysis of audit reporting issues using cooperative learning. Positive student reactions and achievement suggested that contemporary active learning approaches are compatible with the traditional accounting goal of preparing for the Certified Public Accountants examination. (SK)

Outlines the essential conditions of cooperative learning. Describes six cooperative learning structures modeled in a reading methods class that can be used to create literacy activities appropriate in fourth through sixth grade. (SR)

A cooperative learning seminar using action-based learning was developed by students getting degrees in adult education. Three competing agendas--those of the academy, of vocational education reform, and of social and political action in adult education--can be integrated by this model. (SK)

Describes a small group assignment for business communication students in which they put together a report describing the most important periodicals, reference works, or other ongoing information sources for people just entering professional fields. (SR)

At Southwest High School in Fort Worth, Texas, an applied learning project enables chemistry students to determine the most effective, economical, and environmentally safe fertilizer for the lawns of schools in the district. (SK)

Describes a study at Florida State University that examined how Gagne's learning theory and events of instruction described and supported learning in the cooperative learning environment of a fourth grade classroom. Examples of instructional events and appropriate actions are given, and it is reported that Gagne's theories support cooperative…

Interpersonal and cognitive skills, adaptability, and critical thinking can be developed through problem solving and cooperative learning in technology education. These skills have been identified as significant needs of the workplace as well as for functioning in society. (SK)

Lists five key elements of cooperative learning. Shares some ideas on cooperative learning successfully used in the language arts classroom. (RS)

Proposes combining peer-response exercises from Peter Elbow and Pat Belanoff's book "Sharing and Responding" with the series of written peer critiques in Kenneth Bruffee's "A Short Course in Writing." Argues that these types of peer criticism work best in tandem in the collaborative classroom, capturing the struggle between individual expression…

Analysis of pretest and posttest scores showed no significant differences in the achievement of 58 adult students in cooperative learning groups in business English compared to that of students who learn through teacher-directed methods. A stronger spirit of participation, cooperation, and helpfulness was observed among group members. (JOW)