This study explores the effectiveness of a cooperative learning (CL) approach, where students work together and elaborate concepts of physics. The group problem-solving tasks were conceptual questions from physics, where the students had to discuss and provide explanations of some phenomena. The effectiveness of the learning-in-groups approach was…

As the number of off-shore content-based courses presented by Western universities increases, the issue as to the suitability of elements of constructivist pedagogy arises. This paper reports on mainland Chinese student views of two different types of collaborative work conducted bilingually within a Master of Education program specializing in…

Supplemental Instruction (SI) incorporates collaborative learning in small, peer-led, group settings in order to integrate instruction in learning and reasoning skills with course content. Several meta-analyses speak to the efficacy of SI but fail to address selection bias due to ability/motivation and gender. In this study, SI was paired with a…

The author examined the long-term effects of teacher instructional grouping practices on the early mathematical achievement of language minority students from various ethnic groups. The study used 3 longitudinal models. In the 1st model, English language learners (ELLs) displayed lower math performance than did English-only students in the…

Some students at the master-level viewed research methodology courses negatively. This study investigated six factors that changed attitudes of graduate school students toward research during the course of a semester at a mid-sized university (University X) located in a western state. To facilitate this study, a survey instrument (Student Research…

To demonstrate a technique used in introductory psychology courses to introduce students to the phenomenon of illusions, workshop attendees at the Conference on Undergraduate Teaching of Psychology were asked to estimate the dimensions of a standard classroom garbage can placed on a table in the front of the room. Participants were asked to…

By giving assignments to children in a field that inquires into the nature of language use, teachers can help enhance their total language development and sensitivity to language. To be most effective, such projects should involve children working interactively in groups; should require considerable time to complete and involve the solving of…

This book examines cooperation, competition, and individualization in the classroom. Although the authors admit to a preference for cooperation among students in learning situations, they also believe that there are times when competition and individualization may be more beneficial. These three goal structures are examined in terms of: (a)…

Tells about an assignment in a technical writing course, in which students are presented with a hypothetical problem faced by a business corporation; they then work in groups to write memos detailing possible solutions to the problem. (GW)

Free riders are individuals who decide not to participate in cooperative learning group activities and often lower the group's morale, productivity, and effectiveness. This research paper presents a review of free riding and the results of a research study to examine the perspectives of faculty members about free riders and how they address them.…

Creative drama can play a vital role in affecting social, emotional and intellectual growth during the years from 7 to 11. (RB)

Presents principles and techniques in teaching human development and family life education to small groups of students. (SB)

Suggests an extented exercise to help students interpret myths and discover sex-role stereotyping in them. (TJ)