Working cooperatively in groups can help students connect learning with experience and build relationships at the same time. In collaborative inquiry, student questions can connect the big ideas that cut across disciplines. This paper describes how collaboration promotes social skills and a sense of partnership; discusses the appropriate learning…

Reports on the use of small group instruction in a college sociology course. Contends that teacher-assigned groups using students' perception of their level of knowledge on a topic is an effective strategy. Maintains this technique helps enrich class discussions and improves student understanding of course content. (CFR)

The introduction of historical and philosophical readings to outdoor education settings serves many purposes: inspiration to share personal stories, a sense of continued tradition, links across time to current practices, a way to frame complex notions of being, and opportunities for new understandings of outdoor experiences and clarification of…

Designing inquiry-based-learning with and for university students develops problem-solving skills and logical reasoning, as well as reflective thinking. It involves working as a member of a team, questioning, being creative, shaping the skills for continued intellectual development. It is argued that inquiry-based group work is one of the most…

Group work offers a viable alternative to the teacher-centered, direct instructional model. However, many teachers have been reluctant to incorporate extensive group work into their teaching repertoire, citing concerns about the amount of English used and off-task behavior. This study reports the results of an analysis of five conversations of…

The second language student experience of group work at university is not often transparent in survey evaluations, although the multicultural nature of the student population in Australasia would suggest that culture and language should be on the research agenda. Culture and language, notwithstanding, is used in the higher education literature to…

The role of Information Systems within organizations is constantly changing. Undergraduates concentrating in Information Systems need to acquire the knowledge and skills to compete in this dynamic arena. The undergraduate curriculum must not only address technical knowledge, but also communications and collaborative skills necessary for…

The progress of groups of junior high school students working together was measured by the developmental theories of Bloom, Piaget, and Kohlberg. Each group was assigned the task of designing a coat-of-arms representing their neighborhood. This project involved not only physically producing a shield (designing, drawing, choosing colors) but also…

An "ad hoc" questionnaire was administered to 10 students from each of 10 student groups. Each group's behavior was rated according to its degree of deviation from the established code of conduct for organized campus groups. Demographic and sociometric data was collected, as well as a measurement of the respondents' knowledge about the campus, and…

A questionnaire administered to Heads and pupils in Lincolnshire secondary schools revealed differences in perceptions between the two groups on areas of school life which implicitly relate to moral education. School rules, discipline, pupil responsibility, group work, and voluntary activities were some of the areas considered. (Author/SJL)

Describes and evaluates a classroom behavior management training program in terms of student attitudes toward the activities. Results indicate students low in self-sufficiency had more positive attitudes toward group oriented activities. Suggests this evaluation approach can be used as a model for assessment of specific classroom activities.…

An instructional unit in housing design created to address problems of group work in higher education is described and evaluated. Students and educators were consulted and literature reviewed for salient issues. The new unit was piloted with students. Results show design of group projects should address: project organization, assessment, balance…

Reports on a collaborative learning project in which college-level counseling students designed and presented workshops on therapeutic intervention. Finds workshops stimulated more personal involvement with the topic and individual written papers ensured that all shared the workload. Concludes that workshops prepare students for collaborative…

Assesses distance learners' reactions to STILE (Students' and Teachers' Integrated Learning Environment), a project which used computer-mediated communication in the United Kingdom and Europe. Findings in four areas are discussed: (1) availability to collaborate; (2) interest in exercises for groupwork; (3) collaboration on extra material; and (4)…

Case studies at the University of Northumbria (England) are investigating the impact of assessment methods such as unconventional exams, oral presentations, group projects, and peer assessment. Many positive effects on learning have been identified and students strongly support new assessment methods; problems include the difficulty in…