Describes a staff development program used by the Cambridge (Massachusetts) elementary schools in conjunction with the implementation of multicultural curriculum components. Includes a lesson plan in which staff developers model multicultural literature and cooperative learning strategies. (FMW)

This article describes several cooperative learning activities which can be included in teacher education courses. Jigsaw learning, study teams, informal resource groups, and group projects are discussed. Student perceptions of cooperative learning, based on a survey of 52 undergraduate and graduate students enrolled in education courses, are also…

This article relates experiences from three examples of cooperative learning activities at Arizona State University. These descriptions illustrate that cooperative learning activities work well with adults, can promote higher levels of thinking and mastery of the content, and can be used as a student evaluation vehicle. (IAH)

A technique for starting college students on research paper projects is outlined. The approach, requiring students to begin with a five-minute writing exercise that can form the nucleus of a longer, more intellectually demanding paper involving library work, is felt to stimulate critical thinking and minimize plagiarism. Phased report development…

Evaluated the effects of cooperative learning on students' (n=36) verbal interaction patterns and achievement in a conceptual change instructional model in secondary science. It was found that students using cooperative-learning strategies showed greater achievement gains and made greater use of specific verbal patterns believed to be related to…

Cooperative learning activities can help teachers of students with multiple disabilities increase student participation in integrated activities and identify and meet individual learner needs. Specific guidelines for forming groups, designing lesson plans, and evaluating groupwork are offered. Outcomes of implementing these activities have been…

A teacher-developed board game, designed for upper elementary and middle school students with mild disabilities, promotes student familiarity with their home state and applies problem-solving and map-reading skills in a cooperative-learning format. (DB)

Compares time-block scheduling efforts at two Pennsylvania high schools. The small-town school chose a semester-block system; the small rural school chose a trimester arrangement. Despite setbacks arising from changing leadership in one school and changing programs (mastery learning) in the other, the intensive time scheduling projects will…

Describes a study of 120 second-grade and fourth-grade students that explored a self-regulatory approach to problem solving by providing pairs of students with the IDEA model to identify, define, explore, and assess progress in solving computer problems. The use of student journals, classroom debriefings, and observations are discussed. (LRW)

Provides an account of how three elementary school teachers, two in Australia and one in the United States, used multimedia to enhance student learning. Topics include a historical context of trends in school computing, computer-enhanced learning, reflective learning, concept development, cooperative learning, and learning planning skills.…

Examines research on how technology can be used to support innovative teaching. Highlights focus on student interests and increased student participation, technology-supported cooperative learning, staff development, alternate forms of testing and emphasis on higher level thinking skills, and the importance of collaborative research in real-world…

Reviews efforts to develop and use computer support for situated, collaborative learning. Presents lessons learned in pilot experiments designed to examine how to integrate two types of group collaboration tools: constructivist and/or minimal instructionist. Students appeared to favor the integration of instructionism into constructivist…

Describes the implementation and evaluation of a nondirected student research project that aimed at acquainting students with some of the procedures used by physicists in the real world. Outlines specific project designs used by the students. (JRH)

Forward-looking educators are teaching students to be flexible, creative thinkers by using cooperative learning, authentic assessments, interdisciplinary units taught to heterogeneous groups. Principals should facilitate appropriate staff development, build master planning schedule providing for team planning periods, allow staff members to attend…

An experimental high school curriculum for students (with disabilities and others) unlikely to go on to postsecondary education should be characterized by socially valued skill development, use of an integrated activity-based model, evaluation by portfolio measurement, and cooperative learning. Implementation at the Community Apprenticeship…