Describes a collaborative writing assignment devised for a first-year composition class. Outlines how the assignment was undertaken and carried out by the students. Provides background on the theoretical literature concerning collaborative writing. (HB)

When carefully structured and appropriately used, cooperative learning can be highly effective at any grade level. To provide teachers with appropriate feedback, principals observing cooperative-learning classrooms must recognize whether the lesson is worth doing cooperatively, the students demonstrate positive interdependence and individual…

Examined gender differences in individual and cooperative (small-group) self-management training programs targeting mathematics performance. Findings from 33 fifth graders revealed that girls in individual training condition improved significantly less than girls in cooperative condition and boys in individual condition. Boys in cooperative…

Describes the effects of incorporating a group final project into an elementary statistics course. Discusses the implementation, evaluation, and student reaction to the group final project requirement. Presents one of the students' group final projects as an example. (Author/ASK)

Presents a summary of insights gained by the authors after a semester of collaborative teaching. Emphasizes pedagogical and administrative insights. (Author/ASK)

The impact of individual differences on the performance of roles of learner and learning facilitator was studied during dyadic cooperative learning with 80 college students in same-sex groups of 4. The learner role accounted for more than 70% of the variance in total recall. The influence of cognitive and rapport factors is discussed. (SLD)

Discusses the objectives, organization, assessment, student reactions, and evaluation of an abstract algebra course in which small-group instruction was used. Concludes that better understanding is achieved and the students assimilate more concepts using this method, although the pace is slower than that in a traditional classroom setting.…

Presents detailed information about the Cape of Good Hope project in which pairs of students designed capes and cloaks out of the garbage bags for a fashion show. Also describes student objectives, unit goals, group activities, products required, and the final show and presentation. (ASK)

Examines selected aspects of the theory and practice of learning in groups; discusses how the history of groups in adult education has influenced perspectives about learning in groups; considers the nature of learning in groups; and discusses power and the role of the facilitator. (JOW)

In a nursing program, 28 students participating in group service-learning projects were compared to 16 who did other group work. Surveys, focus groups, and feedback from community partners showed that service learning contributed to group collaboration and the development of research skills. (SK)

Advocates cooperative learning as an instructional model for use by middle and high school social studies teachers to improve students' understanding of content and encourage students to become actively and constructively involved in the learning process. Describes five cooperative learning strategies appropriate for the social studies classroom…

Studies the effects of a course encouraging cooperative problem solving and reflection on thinking activities on students' attitudes. Reports that a majority declared negative attitudes but during the problem-solving course, the changes were almost all in the desired direction. Contains 18 references. (Author/ASK)

The theme in this special section is computer-supported collaborative learning (CSCL). The papers mark the development of computer-supported cooperative work and give a diversity of perspectives in the field, representing a range of interests and concerns. (AEF)

Suggests the use of the "tribal" metaphor to foster team building and collaborative learning in college classes. Offers examples of how linking students in the classroom in tribes builds identification and interdependence through such activities as creating a group myth and participating in membership rituals. The tribal metaphor has also led to…

Presents a three-year experiment in integrating technical editing students into a multidisciplinary engineering design project that developed several way of helping students apply classroom learning to practical problems. Discusses how engineering students formed Integrated Product Teams and the technical editing students provided editorial…