Describes a study of the effects of small group instruction on the academic performance of underprepared minority college students enrolled in orientation courses. Students were placed in groups of four to engage in task-process oriented activities, while control group students received traditional lecture-oriented instruction. Finds higher scores…

A study examined 48 fifth- and sixth-grade students' responses in cooperative small groups in mathematics. Findings indicated that students generally spent more time on-task, and especially more quality time on-task, in groups than in whole class settings, and students were more active participants in groups than in class settings. (TJQ)

Describes findings of the Spoken Language and New Technology (SLANT) research project which studied the talk of primary school children in the United Kingdom who were working in small groups at computers with various kinds of software. Improvements in the quality of talk and collaboration during computer-based activities are suggested. (Contains…

Explores the use of a cyberspace technology, i.e., computer conferencing, to support collaborative learning in courses at two Canadian universities. Instructional design for online learning is examined, including course design, learning tasks, group size, and course requirements; problems are identified; and improvements are suggested, including…

Librarians from three regional campuses of Kent State University examine cooperative learning as an alternative to a lecture format for bibliographic instruction. The results of a research project comparing the effectiveness of cooperative learning and traditional methods are presented. Discussion includes problems in the evaluation process; steps…

Presents a geometry game which offers K-2 students a way to learn geometric concepts and skills as part of a small-group or cooperative-learning activity or in a learning center. (MKR)

Describes activities for elementary and secondary students who participate in AT&T's Learning Network. Topics include learning circles as virtual communities; forming learning circles; planning projects with teachers and students; exchanging work on the projects; creating a final publication as a group; and evaluating the process. (LRW)

The perceptions of 175 gifted education teachers and 147 middle-school teachers concerning gifted education needs were compared. Gifted educators disagreed with proponents of cooperative learning concerning student needs and disagreed with middle-school educators on the value of ability grouping and the social consequences of being labeled gifted.…

Observations of interactions of mixed-ability groups revealed three persistent challenges (inclusiveness, enacting the ideal, and monitoring growth) in which gifted students can develop and exercise leadership skills. Specific student strategies are proposed for each challenge. The role of teachers in developing leadership skills of gifted…

Maintains that current research suggests that heterogeneous grouping is preferable. Reports on a study of a new mathematics curriculum using 600 students in 6 Dutch schools. Finds that students in heterogeneous classes taught with cooperative-learning techniques achieved more than students in traditional ability-grouped classrooms. (CFR)

Maintains that parents are likely to have negative attitudes about cooperative learning. Asserts that social studies can be achieved more effectively using cooperative learning methodology. Includes a sample letter to parents explaining the rationale and operation of cooperative learning in the social studies classroom. (CFR)

Asserts that evaluating cooperative learning experiences is both traditional in the tools used and innovative in the way the results benefit students and teachers. Provides suggestions for encouraging interdependence, grading group projects, and evaluating both academic achievement and group process skills. (CFR)

Features of programs that successfully blended the middle school (MS) model or cooperative learning (CL) model with gifted education were assessed. Site visits were made to five MS sites and five CL sites at the elementary, middle, and high school levels. Studies showed that gifted students' needs can be met within these programs, with appropriate…

Explored the performance of primary school children in Logo programming tasks while they worked in one of three gender pairs (girl, boy, or boy-girl). Found no considerable differences in performance based on gender. Results suggest that what distinguished performance was the application of metastrategic processes--the most effective solutions…

Describes a college psychology course titled "The Power of Myth," which is interdisciplinary and uses collaborative learning techniques. Maintains that students reported increased curiosity about the world and improved abilities to work in groups. (CFR)