Reports research investigating how English-as-a-Second-Language students are positioned in the group work that is routinely a part of many university classes in the United States. Through an ethnographic study of the experience nonnative speakers of English have at U.S. universities, the challenges that these students face as they attempt to…

Describes a collaborative exercise used in a labor-force class to help students apply course concepts and learn collaborative skills. Discusses the structure of each of the four group assignments, the group evaluations and grading, and problems with having groups and the solutions. (CMK)

Explores the pitfalls that may be encountered when group assessment is used as a means of evaluation, especially when the students involved are not native speakers of English. Issues of cultural differences and their impact on group formation and the problems surrounding free-loading in the group assessment are discussed. (Author/VWL) (Adjunct…

Group projects in computer science are normally delivered with reference to good software engineering practice. The discipline of software engineering is rapidly evolving, and the application of the latest 'agile techniques' to group projects causes a potential conflict with constraints imposed by regulating bodies on the computer science…

While a voluminous lecture hall can present obstacles to effective teaching and learning, large classrooms containing more than 100 students also present teaching opportunities. The lecture hall offers an excellent arena for demonstrating concepts that lend themselves to demonstrations and something this author refers to as "group performances."…

This paper explores that various uses of group communication in the basic course and how it can be used to bridge and reinforce interpersonal and public speaking skills units. Sections of the paper address group discussion as a content area, integrating small group discussion into the public speaking unit, integrating small groups into the…

With the continuing shift toward more decentralized, team-based work structures, efforts to improve quality are often linked to efforts to improve productivity. This ongoing restructuring of the workplace has important implications for technical education. Educators need to have an understanding of how and why organizations are pursuing these…

In recent years, interest in teamwork in the workplace has increased noticeably. For technical educators, the implications of this emphasis on employee involvement and cooperation are clear: they should begin developing the requisite skills in their students before they enter the work force. The skill sets that are needed--in effective…

Cooperative learning as a promising approach for higher education is discussed in terms of its relation to active learning, cognitive processing, and personalizing principles and concepts. Preliminary data from experimental classes demonstrated little advantage for a group improvement incentive. While students in the bottom third of these classes…

The field of oral interpretation has been influenced by both the analytical approach to literature study, with significant emphasis on understanding the literary text, and the interpersonal approach. While oral reading may utilize various performance arts or media such as dance, music, or film, the most popular movement currently is Readers…

The relative effectiveness of alternative reward structures in strengthening group performance on a cooperative math task was investigated by operationalizing four reward structure treatments--one non-contingent pay treatment and three differential pay allocation treatments including two levels of inter-group competition and a group piece-rate pay…

Describes a cooperative research and construction project suitable for undergraduate physics students. Steps involved in the development of a device to demonstrate the distribution of molecular velocities in gases are detailed. (CP)

Because teachers often do not use the small group mode, believing its academic performance is of poorer quality than that of individuals, a process has been developed that compares small group and individual performances. The procedure, which utilizes an objective test, group and individual responses, and teacher, self, and group evaluation, is…

The syndicate study is a group approach to solving problems. Students are involved in fieldwork, research, discussion, and reporting on a particular problem dealing with the interaction of scientific technology and society. Some syndicate topics include physical control of the environment, low impact technology, and social implications of nuclear…

Describes one technical writing teacher's use of group writing projects in which students write and present a marketing report of a product they have invented. Points out that such projects teach students valuable skills in group dynamics, as well as technical writing skills. (ARH)