Investigated if there were differences between collaborative interactions of children trained to work together and those told to work together but not trained. Found that, compared to non-trained children, those in the trained groups were consistently more collaborative and helpful to each other as they tried to involve each other in the learning…

Describes how the teacher of a course in business communication for first-year students at a university in Turkey used group work and collaborative learning strategies to help students experience the value of working with others and develop intercultural communication skills. Notes that, at semester's end, 85% of students favored heterogeneous…

Investigates the effect of cooperative learning on student achievement in an Educational Technology course in an Initial Teacher Training Program. A cooperative learning strategy was compared with the traditional whole-class direct-instruction approach. Results indicated that the cooperative learning strategy had a positive effect. (Author/DKM)

A new Minnesota school has succeeded in translating a noble, inclusive vision into reality. Asked to evaluate the school's first year, staff identified several accomplishments: presence of family-like communities of learners; focus on meeting individual special-education needs within these communities; celebration of diversity as a strength to…

Integrating physical training with physics concepts gives teachers increased opportunities for exploration, problem solving, and concept application, while providing an additional medium for cooperative learning and mutual understanding of each others' goals and objectives. An interdisciplinary model requires alternative planning and preparation…

Presents a lesson designed for at-risk youth in the National Youth Sports Program (NYSP). "Animalia," an alphabet book, was utilized as a source of science information for cooperative learning activities taught with the Teach-Practice-Apply (TPA) method. Concludes that children's literature can put students on an equal level regardless of their…

Metacompetence is the ability to plan, execute, monitor, and evaluate one's own learning. Outlines the relationship between metacompetence and cooperative learning, describes the analysis of learning tasks and the use of the SOLO (Structure of the Observed Learning Outcome) taxonomy as a means of evaluating quality of competence. Concludes that…

Presents ideas for motivating students to create an informative and interesting physics project while becoming actively involved in learning the associated physics concepts. Discusses the use of physics projects as an alternative to lecture and traditional tests, using creativity and original ideas, and benefits to the school and the community.…

Presents a simulation that helps students understand the concepts of equilibrium and Le Chatelier's principle. (JRH)

Presents an activity in which students learn about the characteristics of the planet Mars. Challenges students to design and build a model of a robotic vehicle that can travel on the surface of Mars and accomplish an assigned task that will provide information useful for future manned trips to the planet. Outlines mission task cards and progress…

Describes an approach to incorporating cooperative learning into the anatomy laboratory without diminishing the quality of instruction of the subject matter. Discusses the background, organization of groups and group tasks, evaluation of the approach, and potential disadvantages of cooperative learning. Contains 11 references. (JRH)

An Australian study implemented social skill and cooperative learning activities with 26 10- and 12-year olds. Case studies of six of the children after 10 weeks indicated that students became more socially aware and more skilled, as demonstrated by collaboration and on-task behavior. (JOW)

Describes an NCTM Standards-based high school mathematics curriculum that involves application, technology, cooperative learning, and open-ended problem solving and compares student attitudes and achievement with a traditional class. Results indicate significant attitude improvement in the mathematical confidence of students in the experimental…

Analyzed patterns of participation and discourse mediated by Virtual Web School (VWS), an Internet-based asynchronous bulletin board system used by 23 fifth graders in Finland. Findings show high density of articipation, but the need for improvement in the quality of student discussion on VWS. (SLD)

Describes how to use collaborative groups as a teaching strategy in a 200 student introductory astronomy class for nonscience majors. Presents a brief rationale for this approach then describes the implementation process and lessons learned. Emphasizes practical information most useful for faculty starting to include collaborative group activities…