Describes how two researchers developed a dialogic collaborative research agenda that has proven to be beneficial and stimulating for both participants. Advocates collaborative research as a means of productive intellectual activity. (HB)

At a Virginia middle school, the Collaborative Teaching Project was established to increase overall student achievement and attitude levels, while providing teachers skilled at delivering instructional programs to children with a wide variety of instructional and personal needs. Program objectives were built around student outcomes, staff…

This article discusses steps in incorporating computer technology into activity-based thematic units in a preschool classroom for children with and without disabilities. The discussion focuses on teaching young children to learn together, choosing appropriate software, and selecting activities to generalize computer learning. (JDD)

The practice of supplementing language textbooks with input from students is recommended as a way to increase learner understanding and motivation. Several general language learning activities adapted to contain an environmental theme are described. It is suggested that the environmental theme helps promote lifelong learning. (Contains 15…

Presents cooperative computing activities in which each student plays the role of a switch or processor and acts out algorithms. Includes binary counting, finding the smallest card in a deck, sorting by selection and merging, adding and multiplying large numbers, and sieving for primes. (16 references) (Author/MKR)

Describes an environmental education project that featured 60 students in grades 5-8 divided into 4 multilevel cooperative groups of 15 students. Students participated in two full-day outings and project activities. Outlines six workstations set up for project activities. (LZ)

This article describes cooperative-learning models, discusses adaptation of cooperative learning for gifted students, and outlines an appropriate curriculum for gifted students. The paper concludes that activities that allow gifted students to share knowledge and improve interaction skills are appropriate for heterogeneous groups, whereas…

Provides three activities that help develop library skills for elementary school students. One describes a riddle card game that reviews research book terms; one explains a book report activity; and one focuses on cooperative problem-solving activities to find titles by favorite authors. (LRW)

Three elementary-aged students with multiple severe disabilities acquired basic communication and motor skills within cooperative-learning activities conducted in their general education classrooms and later generalized skills to other situations. Students without disabilities in the cooperative-learning groups achieved targeted academic…

One goal of the Junior/Intermediate Option 2, a preservice and induction program initiated by University of Toronto education faculty and the Learning Consortium, is to explore the formation of peer groups and improve peer relations among beginning teachers. This paper finds base support groups a valuable component for fostering collegiality and…

Three short articles highlight tips for teaching in the English-as-a-Second-Language classroom, including cooperative learning strategies, a listening comprehension activity, and ideas on why detail is essential for clarity in writing. (CK)

Reports research on cooperative learning strategies used in a college computer skills lab course and compares learning performance and retention of students taught via cooperative teams or traditional individual learning. Results show that both performance and retention were significantly improved with the use of cooperative learning. (Author/JMV)

Cooperative learning groups were used to integrate two students with autism into a fourth-grade social studies class. Academic performance, academic engagement, peer interactions, and social and behavioral skills were assessed. Benefits were noted both for the target students and their peers for academic outcomes and social interactions. (SW)

This interview with an author who investigated "untracking" in America's schools discusses whether tracking enhances academic achievement, why tracking is harmful, how common tracking is, what elementary school tracking looks like, advantages to grouping children homogeneously for certain subjects, alternatives to tracking, cooperative learning,…

Presents strategies for coaxing students into insightful book discussions. The strategies include creating a comfortable environment, choosing groups that work together, being a good leader, picking meaningful books, following the students' leads, spinning conversational threads, lighting the conversational fire, and examining different angles on…