"Computer-Supported Intentional Learning Environments" (CSILE) is an educational philosophy developed by M. Scardamalia and C. Bereiter (1991) for the design of computer-supported learning environments. CSILE software is a communal database system in which learners are allowed to externalize their thoughts as text or graphic…

Since the late 1980s, ES/FL teachers interested in Cooperative Learning (Holt, 1993; Kessler, 1992; Lopriore, 1996) have come together to share ideas at the annual convention of the International TESOL organization. The 1997 convention was no exception. The first four authors hosted a Breakfast Seminar at which about 45 other teachers joined us to…

Based on recent research and the author's site visits, this article describes six attributes characterizing an Information Age school: interactivity, self-initiated learning, a changing teacher role, media and technology specialists as central participants, continuous evaluation, and a discussion-centered classroom environment. Contact information…

Children often struggle in noisy classrooms. Many classrooms being planned duplicate acoustically inadequate 50-year-old designs that cannot accommodate group learning and hands-on science. The Architectural and Transportation Barriers Compliance Board, which enforces Individuals with Disabilities Education Act regulations, has been asked to…

Describes an activity in which students formulate their own questions and design investigations to answer them through a field trip to an amusement park. Cooperative learning groups of three or four students select one ride to investigate, then propose a question with an independent variable and a resulting dependent variable supporting their…

The development and promotion of self-regulatory strategies for comprehending and learning from text were studied in 19 9-year olds using cooperative learning. The experimental group exposed to repeated reading experiences within the cooperative learning teams showed marked development of strategies for dealing with texts in comparison with the…

Investigates how computers and modeling software contributed to students' interactions and learning in a physics course. Results indicate that while computer environments have some potential as learning tools, they also limit interactions in significant ways, rendering them less than ideal for everyday classroom use. Contains 60 references.…

Investigates how Greek secondary school students interacted in pairs and fours while discussing and attempting to explain physical phenomena. Results indicate that students progressed significantly more in their physics reasoning after participation in fours than in pairs. Discourse analysis in different groupings suggests that differences were…

Examines cooperative learning as a learning strategy that encourages an active, participatory process among students. Discusses the benefits of using cooperative learning, including increased achievement, more positive attitudes toward learning, increased student self-esteem, and improved race relations. (SR)

Presents an activity in which groups of students form land-use companies that work for a client who is seeking land suitable for an all-season resort. Involves students working together and drawing on their knowledge of contour lines, topography, land forms, climate, natural disasters, geology, and hydrology. (JRH)

Explains the design and evaluation of a project aimed at fostering the critical thinking abilities and dispositions of first year students at an Australian university. Most of the tasks relate to applications of chemistry and physics in everyday life. Many students revealed that their thinking skills were enhanced by their experience in attempting…

Describes a Year 11 Preliminary Advanced English Course in which the objectives were to focus on the students developing knowledge and understanding of the purposes and effects of a range of textual forms in various contexts. Presents experiences from three years of teaching this course. Explains why the author chose to title the unit…

Describes problem based learning (PBL) as a science teaching approach that combines both school and real-world science. Explains how to design an ill-structured problem considering local, state, and national standards; finding and preparing data; implementing PBL in the classroom; and its benefits and student assessment. Includes an example of PBL…

Discusses common methods of forming student groups for group work, suggesting that many are ineffective, then describes a student self-assessment method used to group students according to their skills. Asserts that the method, used for 2 years in both sophomore- and senior-level courses, has been proven to prevent intragroup skill imbalances. (EV)

Discusses the use of middle school collaborative teams to support "stay-put" programming for at-risk students and those with mild disabilities. Discusses the process of collaboration, tools of accommodation, and group motivational strategies to better teach at-risk students. (SR)