A study collected sociometric data in 39 second- through sixth-grade classrooms, 22 of which were engaged in Peer-Assisted Learning Strategies (PALS), a form of peer tutoring. Students with learning disabilities in PALS classes were more socially accepted than those in no-PALS classes and enjoyed the same social standing as controls. (Contains…

A community college nursing program in Hawaii partners with the American Red Cross in service learning projects that prepare nursing students as AIDS prevention educators. Flexibility and partner commitment eased the challenges of time constraints, funding gaps, and workloads. (SK)

Focuses on the implementation of a peer-led team learning (PLTL) instructional approach for students in an undergraduate organic chemistry course and the evaluation of student outcomes over eight years. Compares students who experienced the student-centered instruction and worked in small groups facilitated by a peer leader to students who…

A study evaluated a program for 54 elementary students with behavior problems in regular classrooms in Quebec. The program combined in-class social skills training and specific educational activities with peers, namely cooperative learning and tutoring by a prosocial peer. A modest effect size showed a relative improvement in social behavior.…

Describes the benefits of peer coaching to preservice physical education teachers. After explaining how peer coaching works, the paper examines the early field experience progression, looks at three teaching laboratories designed to facilitate preservice teacher education, and discusses data collection instruments (teacher position and function…

A classwide peer tutoring procedure was implemented in an urban elementary school classroom of 23 students, to improve students' spelling performance. Results indicated the untrained or collateral tutoring behaviors increased the academic response frequencies of three tutees and the weekly spelling achievement of one target tutee. (Author/DB)

The Medical College of Pennsylvania uses outstanding senior students as teaching assistants for sophomore students needing additional observation and feedback to increase clinical skills. The seniors are less threatening than faculty and may give more effective feedback. Both student groups are satisfied with the program. (MSE)

Uses a study of a high school writing center program to illustrate and explain the different forms and skills needed for collaborative writing in both classroom and writing center contexts. (MM)

Assesses the effect of reciprocal peer tutoring on the academic performance of college students. Measures the impact of this procedure on student distress and course satisfaction. Finds that reciprocal peer tutoring results in greater improvement in examination scores, reduction in distress, and greater student satisfaction. (KO)

Home schoolers have much to offer their school board and administrator colleagues. Parents who teach their children at home can offer lessons in the following: (1) children setting their own reading goals and achieving them; (2) using vertical age grouping in instruction; (3) children forming friendships with adults; and (4) using student…

This paper discusses the meaning of cooperative learning, essential elements required to ensure that cooperative groups are productive, teacher's role in structuring cooperative learning groups, impact of cooperation on learning outcomes, ways cooperative groups may be used, and methods for integrating special education students into cooperative…

Peer tutoring has been used as an effective program for students with academic difficulties. This article provides information on the efficacy of considering behavioral function and structure and data addressing ecobehavioral variables to establish a productive learning environment. Infusing peer-tutoring programs with applied behavior analysis…

Presents program development and peer education training considerations for programs that attempt to influence healthy attitudes toward dating and preventing date rape. The paper discusses the program's theoretical foundations, goal determination, mixed-gender programs, themes students raise during programs, the consensual sex scenario as a…

At Iowa State University, the effects of a peer-coaching in-service model on teachers' use of a complex teaching technique were studied and the perceptions of 11 teachers and 2 principals were determined. Results demonstrate that the peer-coaching model shows promise for increasing teacher effectiveness. (SLD)

This paper describes two alternative strategies for fostering communication skills in preschool children with disabilities: one that teaches normally developing peers to use specific communication strategies when interacting with their less skilled classmates and one that teaches both normal and disabled preschoolers to enact sociodramatic play…