A current initiative at many institutions is the formation of "learning communities" that link or cluster courses around an interdisciplinary theme and enroll a common cohort of students. This study examined the attitudes and perceptions of students, faculty and administrators who were involved in a learning community to determine the…

Whether using cooperative learning can improve the academic achievement of inner city middle school students was studied in Gary, Indiana at a school with a population of 503 students. Two seventh-grade classes taught by 1 African American male teacher served as 1 treatment group of 20 at-risk students and one nontreatment group of 24 high…

This report describes a program for increasing class achievement by raising the motivational level of adolescents. The targeted population consisted of high school mathematics students from a metropolitan area located in central Illinois. The problem of low motivation level found in the targeted students was documented by student surveys. Evidence…

This report describes a program for improving attitudes towards mathematics and problem solving in order to improve performance in these areas. The targeted population consists of two high school geometry classes. The school is located in a western suburb of a major mid-western city. The problems of negative attitudes towards mathematics and…

Doctoral-level students in a mass communication pedagogy class conducted a quasi-experimental study based entirely on constructivism. The students (n=6) became equal partners with the professor by practicing collaborative learning, ownership, and authenticity. Constructivists see knowledge as actively constructed by learners, not passively…

Eliciting creativity in every student in the classroom can be a realistic goal for classroom teachers. Teaching creatively can include: embracing a student-centered learning approach; using thematic approaches to content area subjects, which also promotes motivation; using a cooperative learning group process; and utilizing creative arts.…

This paper is a report on the findings of an action research project conducted during an undergraduate "Technology in Education" class for preservice teachers at Southern Utah University. The course was structured using a constructivist approach and designed to incorporate principles of brain-based and engaged learning. A five-step…

Many different philosophies of education have been recommended for improving the public schools. A look at the history of education in the United States shows that the one certainty is change. A perennial question is how high standards should be set. Related questions are those of aligning learning opportunities with the standards and constructing…

Success for All is the most extensively researched of all comprehensive reform models for Title I elementary schools. It incorporates scientifically based principles of reading, cooperative learning, professional development, tutoring, and family support. Hawaii elementary schools using the Success for All reading program made outstanding gains on…

MathWings is the mathematics program of the Success for All Foundation, a non-profit organization that develops and disseminates school reform programs originally developed at Johns Hopkins University. MathWings, based on NCTM standards, emphasizes the use of cooperative learning, problem solving, and metacognitive strategies to help all children …

This study articulates the construct of social presence and develops a social presence questionnaire for examining online collaborative learning with tests for reliability and validity. Questionnaire items were developed by revising the social presence questionnaire developed by Picciano in 2002 as well as eviewing research in the literature of…

Group activities have become more common in second language instruction. For example, a few years ago I collaborated on a study comparing ESL coursebooks from the 1960s with those from the 1990s (Jacobs, Crookall, & Thiyaragarajali, 1997). My colleagues and I found many more group activities in the latter books. Key support for the increase in…

Discusses how cooperative learning can teach gifted elementary students about being part of a cohesive team that works toward a common goal. Describes how to set up cooperative learning groups and sample cooperative learning activities, such as "crossing the river," cooperative maps, and body systems posters. (CR)

Based on a systematic search of literature published from 1988 to 1995, 20 math interventions for secondary students with learning disabilities were identified and analyzed. Effective methods include teacher-directed instruction, instructional design curriculum variables, three-term contingency trials, strategy instruction, self-monitoring…

Presents activities for students with or without behavior disorders that promote active learning of language arts skills, including creative thinking, writing, listing, and oral presentation. Activities begin with a lunch bag, can be adapted across grade or skill levels, and used from independent to large-group work arrangements. (Author/CR)