Using planned, sequenced "group initiative tasks," effective cooperative skills can be taught and practiced in an atmosphere of fun and challenge. Such tasks are presented to a group for problem solving, using the physical and intellectual resources of the entire group. (JMM)

Feedback in a trust-destroying portion of a problem-solving discussion" was found to be significantly more disruptive than feedback in a trust-building portion of that same discussion." (Author/RD)

Describes transfer principles to apply in student group projects that prepare them for teamwork: motivation, practice/feedback, follow-up, similarities between learning situation and applied context, and generalization. Addresses team effectiveness skills and implications for classroom application. (Contains 39 references.) (SK)

After 110 business students participated in collaborative learning activities, male attitudes toward work groups became significantly more positive, females' less. Those reporting mostly positive group experiences preferred collaborative working styles; those rating the experience as "just OK" preferred working alone or with one other person. (SK)

Describes how secondary teachers can use cooperative learning groups to enhance students' health-related cultural awareness. Students work in teams to complete various activities and projects that introduce them to health problems prevalent among specific U.S. groups and the community health methods used to address the problems. Throughout the…

Describes nine group problem-solving and communication initiatives used in adventure- and experiential-education settings. Includes target group, group size, time and space requirements, activity level, props, instructions, and tips for post-activity group reflection and processing. Activities emphasize teamwork, communication skills, and a…

Lists and discusses the functions that cooperative quizzes can serve if structured correctly. The quizzes can facilitate a greater understanding of the subject, promote better test-taking skills, and be used as a mechanism to foster cooperative groups. (DDR)

Solutions for evaluating student team members who do not contribute equally include the following: eliminate group projects, monitor group meetings, build teamwork skills, give all members the same grade, and have students evaluate other members' contributions. A survey of 68 students found that 80% were not motivated by peer evaluation but…

This case study investigates the participant structure of leadership in online course environments and helps instructors design and facilitate high-quality lessons. Researchers used course experiences that were authentic, collaborative, and computer-based to collect student data: assignments, discussion transcripts, and interviews. Analysis of the…

Like their counterparts in other disciplines, accounting educators are gradually moving away from talk-and-chalk lectures to project-based learning, real-world problem solving, and team collaboration. Slower to change are the ways in which the impact of these innovative teaching methods have been assessed, with student reactions and traditional…

There is a growing interest among organizations in identifying and nurturing Communities of Practice. Delineating what is and what is not a Community of Practice (CoP) is not a clear-cut task. One specific area of difficulty is distinguishing between a team and a CoP. Because there are strong similarities between the two, it is often helpful to…

Effects of cooperative, individualistic, and laissez-faire goal structures were compared on interpersonal interaction between nonhandicapped junior high school students and high trainable mentally retarded peers. More positive interactions took place between the nonhandicapped and handicapped students in the cooperative condition than in the other…

Describes three games for all ages, used in adventure- and experiential-education settings. Includes target group, group size, time and space requirements, activity level, props, instructions, and tips for post-activity group reflection and processing where appropriate. The games demonstrate the tenets of adventure programming, involve group…