The authors review studies on the effects of these three types of learning situations on students' motivation, self-concept, attitudes, and psychological health. While concluding that all three can be appropriately used in the classroom, they give particular attention to the teacher's role in implementing cooperative activities. (SJL)

The self-esteem and perceived personal acceptance by the teacher of 18 nonhandicapped and l2 trainable retarded students were studied in a mainstream junior high setting. Students in the cooperative condition had the highest self-esteem and perceived the most personal acceptance. Handicapped students reported higher self-esteem than nonhandicapped…

Cooperation promoted stronger student perceptions of teacher academic/personal support than did individualistic learning experiences, stronger perceptions of peer academic/personal support than either competitive or individualistic learning experiences, and higher achievement than the other two conditions. Competition promoted higher achievement…

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…

Using 74 eighth graders, the effects of computer-assisted cooperative, competitive, and individualistic instruction were compared. Computer-assisted cooperative instruction promoted greater quantity and quality of daily achievement, more successful problem solving, more task-related student-student interaction, and increased the perceived status…

Increasing violence and threats of violence in American schools have prompted many school districts to take aggressive action in providing greater security and more positive learning environments. This book presents an alternative approach--that of training students in conflict resolution and peer mediation. The book offers specific, practical…

Research on the educational outcomes of cooperative learning strategies suggests that educators can "have their cake and eat it too" since these strategies have been found to promote simultaneously high achievement, constructive student-student relationships, positive attitudes toward subject areas, continuing education, critical…

Students attending a Minnesota school in a middle-class neighborhood are finding that cooperation, conflict resolution, and civic values are creating a safe haven from the stresses of family and neighborhood life. Students have two innovative programs (Continuous Progress and Discovery) to choose from. Highlands Elementary nurtures its students…

Discusses some of the benefits of having students work cooperatively toward a shared goal. Suggests that teachers become involved in research in this area and become associated with the National Science Teachers Association's Every Teacher a Researcher (ETR) program. Lists various types of research projects teachers could undertake. (TW)

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)