Asserts that whether students engage in creative and critical thinking depends on how teachers structure the learning situation. Contends that using "academic controversy" among students provides a basis for deliberate discourse and creative problem solving. Presents a five-step instructional model to guide students. (CFR)

In cooperative learning, as opposed to competitive and individualistic learning, students work together to accomplish shared goals. It is the most important of the three types of learning, but least used. Research indicates students will learn more, like school better, like each other better, and learn more effective social skills when cooperative…

This ERIC digest looks at how college faculty can use cooperative learning principles to ensure that students actively create their own knowledge and work together to achieve shared learning goals. The first section describes cooperative learning and recommends training professors to apply an overall system to build cooperative activities,…

This module (part of a series of 24 modules) is on the impact of interaction among students in a learning situation on achievement, cognitive development, and social development. The genesis of these materials is in the 10 "clusters of capabilities," outlined in the paper, "A Common Body of Practice for Teachers: The Challenge of…

Promotes the Every Teacher a Researcher program of the National Science Teachers Association. Encourages teachers to become involved in three types of action research with regard to cooperative learning in science. These are replicating, refining, and extending. Includes program registration form for interested teachers. (TW)

This monograph explores the current use in higher education of cooperative learning, the instructional use of small groups so that students work together to maximize their own and each other's learning. The opening section sets out to define cooperative learning, and to look at the history of the technique, its basic elements, types of cooperative…