Analyzed collaborative interaction in the classroom among pairs of young children. Found collaborative pairs were characterized by more direct partner involvement, longer-term views of the task, mutual support, provision of feedback, and devices to move action forward. Also found that differences by types of collaborative processes occurred in…

Describes the use of videoconferencing to teach courses for NYNEX (a New York telephone company) employees through the Center for Distance Learning of the State University of New York Empire State College. Topics include process education, cooperative learning, problem-based learning, student roles, and program effectiveness. (LRW)

In this study, we investigated the effect of type of positive interdependence (roles, rewards, roles-plus-rewards, or no structure) and affiliation motives (high vs. low) in an asynchronous, collaborative learning environment. College reentry students worked together in small, fully online discussion groups that lasted for seven days. Results…

Addresses questions about the nature of collaborative learning in middle schools and its effect on literacy learning. Offers practical suggestions for implementing a collaborative learning program, including designing reading activities, problem students, grading, time allotment, and gifted students. (JPB)

Discusses the experience a collegiate Music Educators National Conference (MENC) chapter had when running a musical petting zoo, which is an exhibit of musical instruments that passersby, under the guidance of "zookeepers" (the MENC students), are allowed to touch, handle, and attempt to play. Considers the success of the musical petting…

In this article Sarah Guth describes an online course for writing research articles in English she developed for engineering students at the University of Padua in Italy. Designed to overcome time-space constraints as well as to provide both linguistic and discipline-specific feedback, the course integrated peer editing as a key component of…

Collaborative learning may be an approach to for a liberal arts college program to help improve the retention of minority students. The importance of collaborative learning can be seen in the power of collaborative action in the Civil Rights Movement and the Women's Rights Movement. In a collaborative experience the teacher acts as a facilitator…

The ideal classroom climate promotes deep understanding, excitement about learning, and social and intellectual growth. Students are active decision makers, teachers work with students, and learners' interests and questions drive much of the curriculum. This brief article provides guidelines and a checklist to help administrators, parents, and…

Discusses the use of cooperative learning principles in bibliographic instruction at the University of Minnesota. Topics include changing the role of the instructor to relinquish some control and have an open attitude, and increasing student participation and control of the discussion for a more interactive environment. (LRW)

This article reports a study examining the use of group activities in English language coursebooks published since 1990. Ten coursebooks were randomly selected for examination. The number and percentage of group activities and of group activities rated as fostering cooperation were calculated. The results are discussed in light of theory and…

Explored a teacher's perspective of the implementation of cooperative learning in elementary physical education and students' responses to the implementation into their physical education classes. Data from interviews, observations, field notes, and a teacher journal indicated that the teacher and students held similar perceptions of cooperative…

Discusses a case study in which the cognitive monitoring moves of a pair of preservice elementary education teachers were examined during cooperative problem-solving tasks. Concludes that assuming different roles during the problem-solving experience can be an effective strategy and a potentially helpful learning experience. (31 references) (MDH)

Discussion of telecommunications and distance education focuses on a graduate level course, primarily online, that was designed to help educators become familiar with Internet resources. Topics addressed include computer-mediated communication (CMC); writing and CMC; cooperative learning and participant roles; challenges of online interactions;…

This chapter explores some of the historical underpinnings of collaborative learning and highlights the issues involved in designing collaborative approaches including roots of collaboration in education, epistemological theory, reframing the student and teacher roles, and shared inquiry as a process of reform. (MLW)

Outlines the author's experiences of introducing the Patchwork Text in the teaching of a module about the sociology and politics of education. A clear focus in the paper is on the role of the student as an active agent and of working with Patchwork Texts as a way in which students can take ownership of their learning processes. (Author/AEF)