Explores social constructivist theory; investigates successful collaboration; discusses characteristics of communication in an electronic setting, arriving at solutions for improving the use and effectiveness of computer mediated communication environments. Strategies suggested are: structuring interaction with authentic tasks, questioning…

Describes the cooperative learning programs most extensively studied in grades 6-12, including Student Team Learning methods and other cooperative learning methods. Summarizes the outcomes of studies at this level, finding that these methods improve student achievement, intergroup relations, and self-esteem. (SR)

Presents two studies that explore the connection between students' language use and how they participate in small-group science activities. Describes the range of language used by groups of students while working with materials in several elementary science classrooms. Examines how students use language in small groups to discuss, clarify, and…

Takes up a number of issues related to collaborative writing and co-authoring and reflects on their meaning. (TB)

Describes a statistics project that allowed middle school students to integrate their math, scientific inquiry, and writing skills. Students worked in groups of two to six, picked topics of personal interest, collected data, drew conclusions, and entered a national statistics competition. The course format is outlined. (CR)

Explains the design and development of curriculum materials that ask students to think about physics from a different view. These group-learning classroom materials specifically aim to bring about improvement of student understanding of sound waves. (Contains 29 references.) (Author/SOE)

Identifies appropriate family law content and a pedagogical vehicle to support instructors interested in teaching family law to students of family studies and human development programs. Provides instructors with an overview of a family law course, a detailed model syllabus, strategies, and model assignments for using cooperative learning as the…

This study suggests that the social dynamics of the language learning classroom may in some cases dramatically alter the way cognitive processes of attention, or noticing, are deployed in cooperative learning activities in which feedback occurs, and this in turn appears to affect acquisition. (Author/VWL)

Describes dictogloss, an integrated skills technique for language learning in which students work together to create a reconstructed version of a text read to them by their teacher. Dictogloss is situated in relation to eight current overlapping trends in second language teaching and description is provided of how the literature on cooperative…

Studied the meaning of symmetry of knowledge-based roles for knowledge construction and sharing in social interaction during the report writing phase of an experimental science learning project with four ninth grade students in Finland. Identified four patterns of interaction that differed in terms of their symmetry of knowledge-based roles and…

Describes Guy Claxton's book entitled "Wise Up". Discusses the three qualities that the author claims constitute a good learning temperament: (1) resilience and persistence; (2) a playful disposition; and (3) conviviality. Suggests ways in which to nurture those qualities in everyday practice. (KHR)

Describes how a 7th grade science teacher creates an equal learning environment for both female and male students. Explains how to personalize classroom structure, create a cooperative learning environment, and provide diverse role models. (YDS)

Reports on an investigation into the relationship between cooperative learning, perceptions of classroom support, feelings of alienation from school, and the academic achievement of university bound learners of English-as-a-Foreign-Language (EFL). Participants completed a modified version of the Classroom Life Measure, and their responses were…

Compares two learning strategies, cooperative learning and mastery learning, and indicates ways in which the two are natural complements to each other. Discusses four premises shared by the approaches and considers ways in which each approach helps solve implementation problems associated with the other. Research on the combined implementation of…

In response to Slavin (EC 232 394), the article examines the research on cooperative learning with academically talented students and considers the potential for abuse of cooperative learning as an educational provision for this population. Limitations of cooperative instruction such as use of grade level materials and evaluation primarily on…